PAWLEYS ISLAND S.C. — State Rep. Vida Miller is returning a campaign contribution she received from an HMO after local Republicans alleged the company had given more money than allowed by law in this election cycle.

Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Tom Swatzel, in a press release issued Monday, cites Miller’s campaign finance reports that indicate she accepted a total of $1,500 in financial contributions from Select Health of S.C., a Charleston-based HMO owned by AmeriHealth Mercy, a national managed healthcare company.

A $1,000 contribution was made to Miller in April 2009 and a $500 gift was given by the company this April.

The contribution limit for individuals and businesses is $1,000 for the election cycle.

"We know that Rep. Miller is beholden to a lot of special interests that contribute to her campaign, but she cannot be above the law. It's wrong to take campaign contributions from a big HMO that by far exceed the lawful limits. We call on Miller to obey the law and return the money as soon as possible," Georgetown County Republican Party Chairman Tom Swatzel said in the release.

On Tuesday, Miller contacted Select Health. She said she was unsure if both contributions were made in the same election cycle. When a representative from the HMO checked their records, it was determined the contributions had exceeded the election cycle limit.

Courtney Porter Jenkins, media relations specialist for Select Health, stated Tuesday the company “inadvertently exceeded campaign contribution limits when it made a $500 donation to … Miller.” She said the contribution was made in March of this year, not in April.  

“This erroneous contribution was an oversight and Representative Miller has returned the contribution. Select Health of South Carolina diligently reports campaign contributions to the State Ethics Commission as required by South Carolina law. Select Health of South Carolina will review its record-keeping practices to insure that future errors do not occur,” Jenkins said.

“I have put the check in the mail,” to return the money, Miller said Tuesday.

Swatzel, in his release, threatened to file a complaint with the House Ethics Committee if Miller did not return the money. Miller said that is a step she has already taken.

“I have asked the Ethics Commission to review my accounts,” Miller said. “I have never had an ethics violation and I am not going to start now. I have nothing to hide and my records are open for all to see.”

She said she has been told by other officials that exceeding allowable campaign contributions in a single election cycle happens quite often.

It happens to Republicans also, she said.

“I hope Mr. Swatzel will hold his candidates to the same level of accountability and ethics standards as he does everyone else,” Miller said.

Miller, a Democrat, is running in November against Republican Kevin Ryan for the House District 108 seat.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com