The case of a state representative arrested on charges of harassing his ex-girlfriend will be prosecuted by the Fourth Judicial Circuit.

This is according to court officials, who said the 15th Circuit Solicitor’s Office could not prosecute the case because Candace Bessinger, who filed the complaint, works for that agency.

Bessinger accused Thad Viers, R-Myrtle Beach, of making unwanted telephone calls and sending e-mails after she asked him to stop.

He was charged with first degree harassment on  Jan. 6 and then released on a personal recognizance bond.

The Fourth Judicial Circuit includes Marlboro, Dillon, Chesterfield and Darlington counties.

Viers’ will still have his case heard in the Horry County Judicial Center in Conway, according to court officials.

His first court appearance is set for Feb. 24.

“The S.C Attorney General decides whether a different solicitor’s office will handle the case,” said Bessinger’s attorney, Scott Joye. “He has appointed Solicitor Will Rogers.”

Meanwhile, Viers’ attorney said he doesn’t know why Viers was charged with harassment, since he said Viers was only apologizing for a botched proposal to his ex-girlfriend.

Viers was previously a candidate for Congressional District 7, but dropped out of the race after his arrest.

Viers is being represented by Columbia attorney Dylan Goff.

An e-mail sent from Viers to Bessinger in December says that he (Viers) did not give her the proposal that she wanted and he was sorry for that, Goff said.

That was the letter that caused his arrest, Goff said.

“It looked desperate and insincere,” the letter stated. “It showed that I was trying to “just win” you back into a relationship; I promise that was not my intention, but I know that is what it looks like.”

By Kelly Marshall Fuller

Kfuller@gtowntimes.com