COLUMBIA, S.C. – Surfside Beach Rep. Nelson Hardwick has abruptly resigned after serving a decade in the South Carolina House in the wake of allegations that he harassed women, sources say.
However, a lawyer speaking on his behalf says that Hardwick was “falsely accused” and that the sudden resignation Tuesday was triggered by “accusations that he harassed some women,” said Attorney Henrietta U. Golding.
The State newspaper claims an investigation into Hardwick — after a complaint was filed 2 weeks ago — involves sexual harassment allegations.
Hardwick sent a resignation letter to Speaker Jay Lucas saying he was quitting as of 5 p.m. Tuesday because he felt it was time to step away from public service to focus on his health.
Late Wednesday afternoon, Golding said that “He tried to withdraw his resignation, but he was too late.”
The Republican lawmaker called his service one of the greatest highlights of his life in his two-paragraph resignation letter.
Here is the full statement by Hardwick’s attorney:
“My friend Nelson Hardwick has asked me to speak for him in regards to accusations that he harassed some women. We all know that politics can sometimes be dirty, and I am concerned that some people want to hurt Nelson. Yesterday, he resigned as a knee jerk reaction. He tried to withdraw his resignation, but he was too late. Nelson Hardwick did not do anything wrong and he and I will fight these false accusations. At this time, I have instructed Nelson not to speak with anyone. I am confident that when all the dust clears everyone will see that Nelson has been falsely accused.”Hardwick was at the House Tuesday and was during last week’s meetings. He did not immediately return a phone message Wednesday morning.
Hardwick was chairman of the Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee for two terms before moving to the Ways and Means Committee this year.
