News of the death of powerful political consultant Richard Quinn highlighted every news outlet this morning. Quinn was a disgraced but powerful political consultant for the likes of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson, S.C. Horry County Senator Luke Rankin, and S.C. Governor Henry McMaster.
McMaster wrote today, on news of his death, “Richard Quinn was one of the finest men I’ve ever known. Brilliant, generous, compassionate – and devoted to his family and friends. His contributions to our state’s progress are immeasurable. He was my friend. Peggy and I will never forget him. Our hearts and prayers are with his family.“
Quinn’s daughter, Rebecca Quinn Mustian, would later go on to run what state politicos have called “The Dirtiest race in S.C. History” for Senator Luke Rankin. Rankin and Quinn’s daughters are in the middle of a current lawsuit as a result of that campaign.
Just yesterday, Senator Rankin and the Quinn’s daughters got word from Honorable Judge Deadra L. Jefferson that their request to have their case dismissed was denied.
Richard Quinn Sr., a prominent political consultant in South Carolina whose extensive network of influence was referred to as the “Quinndom”. His firm, Spring Strategies (now run by his daughter), was discovered to have made undisclosed payments to politicians with significant power.
Bill Stern, a longtime friend of Quinn and fundraiser for his political campaigns, confirmed the death on Thursday morning.
“A person’s worth is determined by the accomplishments throughout their life. Richard had a long career as a consultant where he advised significant politicians in our state and had an impact on national politics. In addition to his professional work, he was dedicated to his family and friends, and I consider myself lucky to have been one of them. My thoughts are with his family during this tough period,” Stern remarked.
During the peak of his career in the 1990s and 2000s, Quinn was unmatched by any other consultant in South Carolina in terms of the variety and significance of the elected officials, institutions, and businesses he worked with. This included a governor, the attorney general, state legislators, members of Congress, and institutions like the University of South California. His earnings from these clients were estimated to be in the millions over the years.
After his indictment, S.C Political Consultant Walter Whetsell, filled the vacuum he left. Whetsell currently represents the S.C. Republican Party, Nikki Haley, Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune and a bevvy of candidates associated with the Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce.
According to S.C. 1st Solicitor David Pascoe, a special prosecutor who utilized a state grand jury with subpoena powers to investigate Quinn and his network of influence, everyone else in South Carolina’s realm of political consultants paled in comparison to him.
However, Pascoe also discovered during the investigation that Quinn was deeply devoted to his family, showing love and care towards his children, grandchildren, and their families.
The investigation led Pascoe and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division to obtain a search warrant in order to discover a large amount of emails and financial records from Quinn’s company, Richard Quinn & Associates.
Pascoe effectively filed charges against legislators who received funds from Quinn as well as against Quinn’s business.
Pascoe’s inquiry led to Quinn admitting guilt in court for lying under oath four times and obstructing justice twice. Judge Carmen Mullen then sentenced him to serve 18 months of home detention, with probation to follow.
Quinn’s plea was an Alford plea, in which he admitted that the government had sufficient evidence to probably convict him at trial, but he also maintained his innocence.