South Carolina Gov. Haley cleared of ethics violations COLUMBIA, S.C. - Gov. Nikki Haley has been cleared of charges she violated ethics laws while a member of the South Carolina House. The House Ethics Committee voted 5-1 Wednesday to dismiss all charges against the governor, following an investigation of more than a month. The panel voted that there was a reason to look into the allegations. But the committee said there is not enough evidence to conclude Haley violated ethics rules when she represented Lexington County in the House. The complaint stems from a lawsuit by long-time Republican activist and former Board of Economic Advisors Chairman John Rainey, accusing the Republican governor of violating ethics rules. A Circuit Court judge dismissed the lawsuit in March, saying such issues should be handled by either state ethics officials or a legislative panel.