wfn.org | United Methodist grant to South Carolina senator being

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.UMC.ORG>]

investigated

April 23, 1998	Contact: Linda Green*(615)742-5470*Nashville, Tenn.
10-71B{243}

By Davie Burgdorf*

CHARLESTON, S.C. (UMNS) - The South Carolina Ethics Commission is
investigating a state senator's use of a $5,000 grant from the United
Methodist Board of Global Ministries.

The commission is examining whether Charleston Democrat Robert Ford --
also a community developer for the board -- and the agency itself
violated state guidelines when the grant was used to help defeat a
Charleston County school bond referendum on March 28.

An initial assessment indicated "a violation both ways" of state
guidelines by Ford and the Board of Global Ministries, said Gary Baker,
executive director of the ethics commission. South Carolina has a limit
of $3,500 for donations to a political campaign.

Board spokeswoman Lesley Crosson said Ford received the grant money to
"help local parents develop strategies for more parental involvement in
the local school system." 

Ford said he spent only $3,500 of the grant on anti-bond referendum
advertising and that he used the rest  to educate the community on his
plan to divide the Charleston County School District into seven smaller
ones -- a measure he says will give minorities a greater voice. He said
he did nothing improper.
 
South Carolina Bishop J. Lawrence McCleskey and the Rev. Randolph
Nugent, the Board of Global Ministries' top executive, said in an April
16 statement that the United Methodist Church does not use church funds
to influence elections. 

According to the statement, the board had informed Ford that use of  the
grant to defeat the bond referendum was "inappropriate." Instead, an
agreement was reached that the money would be used for "nonpartisan
efforts" by his community development program.
. 
"After consultation with the South Carolina Annual Conference and
learning that Mr. Ford now acknowledges use of the funds received for
political purposes, the General Board is requesting Mr. Ford to return
the grant," the statement said.

If the ethics commission rules that  a violation has occurred, it can
fine Ford and the board $2,000 each or request Ford return the $1,500
above the $3,500 limit.

Ford has agreed to return the $3,500 he spent to oppose the referendum,
but he said he first must raise the money.

# # #

*Burgdorf is editor of the South Carolina United Methodist Advocate.

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/

United Methodist News Service
(615)742-5470
Releases and photos also available at
http://www.umc.org/umns/