South Carolina House Speaker Robert Harrell Jr pleaded guilty to public corruption charges and consequently resigned from his post on Thursday.

Harrell's resignation follows a statewide investigation that revealed his misuse of general funds for an electoral campaign.

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Harrell, who was first elected to the House in 1992 and a speaker in 2005, was sentenced to six counts of one-year imprisonment accounted to six administrative and graft and corruption charges.

However, the higher court suspended the sentence when Harrell swore to cooperate with South Carolina's First Circuit Solicitor's Office into a thorough probe of "unlawful activities".

Instead, the 58-year-old Republican was given three years probation.  In effect, state law enforcement teams together with other unnamed legislative bodies began interviewing some members of the House who may be able to provide information on campaign violations.

The presiding court, which was deliberating Harrell's case, cited a number of explicit allegations on the misuse of general funds including a US$94,000 expense relating to his private jet.

Harrell had long evaded the issues, saying the House ethics committee should handle the matter. The State Supreme Court rejected his appeal in July that led to his indictment last September.

According to Mark E. Tompkins, a political professor, residents in South Carolina are particularly concerned about the extent and gravity of Harrell's offense. The fact that Republicans dominate the state makes the people question as to where the funds go, he added.

In 2012, Lieutenant Governor Ken Ard resigned from his post after pleading guilty of corruption.  Also in 2007, former Republican Thomas Ravenel also admitted he was guilty the cocaine allegations against him, forcing him to relinquish his post.

A more controversial case of Governor Mark Sanford, who abruptly left his duties for personal travel in Argentina, was criticized by other lawmakers.

Harrell's agreement with the court requires him to pay a fine of US$30,000 and to return the US$94,000 general fund.  He is also not allowed run or hold public positions for three years. 

TagsBobby Harrell, House Speaker Bobby Harrell, guilty plea, south carolina, resignation