Suspended House Speaker Bobby Harrell is planning to enter a guilty plea to charges related to misuse of political funds and misconduct, according to the Charleston Post and Courier on Wednesday.

The local paper, citing an unnamed source with knowledge of the investigation, said Harrell intends to plead guilty although it remains unclear which charges the plea would cover.

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Prosecutor David Pascoe declined to comment but said Harrell was expected to appear in court at Richland County Thursday morning.

Harrell and his legal team could not be reached for comment.

Harrell, a South Carolina Republican House Representative, was indicted on nine separate counts last month including allegations of improper conduct in office and misuse of campaign funds. According to WIS, the indictment alleged Harrell had dipped into the political account and falsified plane records to make it seem the funds were used for out-of-town appointments.

The House Speaker has maintained his innocence since he was indicted on September, claiming the charges were fabricated by South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson who was out on a "political vendetta" against him.

Wilson, also a Republican, was the one who passed on the probe to the Law Enforcement Division and summoned a grand jury before appointing lead prosecutor Pascoe to the case.

While Harrell had stepped down from the Legislature shortly after his indictment, Common Cause of South Carolina director John Crangle said suspension was not enough.

The scandal he has brought down on the State is tarnishing its reputation, he said, comparing Harrell to a "skunk at a picnic."

Harrell needs to go; we no longer need him, Crangle vowed.

Speaker Pro Tempore Jay Lucas can easily take over. He's doing nicely as speaker now and he can be re-elected in December, he added.

Harrell represents the 114^th District of South Carolina and was first elected as House Speaker of the state in 2005.

Tagspolitics, Law Crime, Robert W. Harrell Jr.