Back This Medical AI Tech

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

South Carolina treasurer calls questions of his role in $1.8 billion accounting error a witch hunt

JEFFREY COLLINS
January 29, 2025

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina Treasurer Curtis Loftis said Wednesday that calls for him to resign over an accounting error that left the state trying to figure out what happened to a $1.8 billion fund amounted to a witch hunt.

A House budget subcommittee asked Loftis about the complex problem his office and two others knew about for roughly six years before it was reported to the General Assembly. The leaders of two other agencies who were aware of the problem subsequently resigned and the accounting error was only reported by one of their replacements.

Most of the $1.8 billion was mistakes involved in assigning the money to accounts and didn't involve actual cash. But it took millions of dollars and a private forensic audit to untangle the mess.

Loftis said the potential damage to South Carolina's credit rating and a federal investigation into the state's accounting practices aren't the fault of his agency. Rather, he said, the fallout is to blame on Republican state senators and others aggressively pursuing the Republican treasurer and making a public spectacle of the mistake.

"Nobody can understand it. It's a political witch hunt," said Loftis, who several times blamed the mistakes on now retired members of his staff or on the Comptroller General and Auditor offices who help him with state finances.

Lawmakers, especially in the Senate, aren't so sure. Republican Sen. Larry Grooms is calling for Loftis to resign and the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday passed a resolution to pay a private accounting firm to "babysit" the Treasurer's Office -- as Grooms said -- until lawmakers are confident the state's accounts are back in order.

The problems started as the state changed computer systems in the 2010s. When the process was finished, workers couldn't figure out why the books were more than $1 billion out of whack. A fund was created to cover the accounting error and over the years more was added on paper to keep the state's books balanced.

The error came to light after Comptroller General Richard Eckstrom resigned in March 2023 over a different accounting mistake and his replacement reported the mystery account.

State Auditor George Kennedy resigned last week after the private audit by AlixPartners found he did not review audits that failed to report the $1.8 billion discrepancy.

The questioning of Loftis in the House was less confrontational than the Senate's. But members of the House budget subcommittee were especially upset why Loftis didn't report the problems as soon as they cropped up, instead of waiting for years.

"I don't know how to explain to my neighbors, to my constituents that we could have solved this problem for thousands of dollars but now the taxpayers of this state are forced to spend millions of dollars," Republican Rep. Micah Caskey said.

Loftis repeated the mistakes were made from outside his agency and his staff was trying to fix them.

"They are trying to do the right things. Decision were made. They weren't the best," Loftis said.

Loftis also suggested the damage to South Carolina's borrowing power has already been done. He said the state now can only get loans and financing on a year-to-year basis at unfavorable terms and laid the blame on the Senate and others who have been aggressively scapegoating him for the accounting problems.

Later Wednesday Grooms showed reporters a memo from Senate Finance staff that said the state can borrow and assume debt and no projects have been held up.

During part of Loftis' presentation, Grooms sat in the back of the meeting room in the House. Grooms left before Loftis once the meeting concluded, but said afterward that the treasurer caught up to him in a hallway.

"He asked me if I was happy that I'm the reason our schools and hospitals aren't being built in South Carolina," Grooms said.

A reporter asked how he responded and Grooms said, "I know catfish that are more slippery than you are."

Loftis' office didn't respond to give the treasurer's version of the encounter.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Cuban's AI Prediction, IBM's Rise, Musk's New Hire And More: This Week In AI

Top stories on AI, including Cuban predicting a trillionaire, IBM's success, Musk's xAI hire, and debates on AI's impact on employment.

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Offers Seniors A $6,000 'Bonus' Tax Deduction: Here's How You Qualify For The Benefit

Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill offers a $6,000 senior bonus deduction from 2025-28. Couples can save $12,000. Retirees with incomes up to $75,000 benefit most.

FDA Submission Expected This Summer - Invest Before It Happens - Ad

This company is making heart disease easier to detect with AI. Their tech has officially been designated a "Breakthrough" by the FDA. You now have an opportunity to get in at a potential inflection point.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'Muslim Takeover' Threatens American Women

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has expressed her fears regarding what she believes to be the most significant threat to the freedom of American women.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after July 23rd, it may be too late.

'Not Looking To Stop': Trump Slams Putin on Ukraine, Speaks With Zelenskyy

President Trump held a phone conversation with Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday, one day after expressing disappointment over an unproductive call with Vladimir Putin.

Cathie Wood Doubles Down On Tesla Amid Elon Musk's Feud With Trump, Sells $3 Million Worth Of Coinbase Stock

On Tuesday, Cathie Wood-led Ark Invest made significant trades involving Tesla Inc. and Coinbase Global Inc. . These trades reflect Ark’s strategic positioning amid ongoing market developments.

A Historic Gold Announcement Is About to Rock Wall Street - Ad

The greatest investor of all time is about to validate what Garrett Goggin has been saying for months: Gold is entering a once-in-a-generation mania. Front-running Buffett has never been more urgent - and four tiny miners could be your ticket to 100X gains.

After Diddy's conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has been in his federal sex trafficking trial, but that doesn't mean the once-celebrated music mogul will see his business empire restored.

How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They're describing me.

The Missing Ingredient for Big Tech's $3T Recipe? - Ad

Big Tech doesn't build everything; they buy what's next. And only Emteq's tech offers real behavior insights for smart glasses, key to unlocking the $3T XR market. Their patented sensors track live facial muscle movements. With health-focused smart glasses in demand, only Emteq has this tech.

Goldman Just Launched Two New Bond ETFs; Here's Why Investors Should Pay Attention

Goldman Sachs Asset Management debuts two new actively managed fixed income ETFs in response to rising demand for active strategies in a volatile rate landscape.

Greenland has a message for the rest of the world: Come visit

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — has a message for the rest of the world: We’re waiting for you.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Nike soars on a production shift away from China, but it warns of a $1 billion tariff hit

Nike's shares jumped at the opening bell Friday after the company said it's shifting some production away from China. But it also warned that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will cost it about $1 billion before it makes internal changes, which include “surgical” price increases in the U.S. starting this fall.

Musk Third-Party Odds Hit 47% — Can The Tesla Chief Do What No One Has Since 1853?

A promise to create a third party from billionaire Elon Musk comes with historical difficulties of challenging the current two-party system.

Fox: China Is Hiding a '401K Nuke Switch' Under Trump's Nose - Ad

China holds $784B in U.S. debt-and may trigger a dollar collapse. Gold is already soaring, with forecasts up to $6,000-$30,000. Protect your savings now. Claim the free 2025 Gold Guide and discover a Trump-era IRS loophole to buy gold tax- and penalty-free.

Big Banks Pass Fed's 2025 Stress Test With Ease—But Some Say It Was Too Easy

All major U.S. banks passed the Fed's 2025 stress test, but critics say easier assumptions may have padded the results.

Dalai Lama To Deliver Major Address On 90th Birthday As China Tracks Succession Moves

The 14th Dalai Lama will address a major three-day gathering of Buddhist religious figures this week ahead of his 90th birthday.

The Unlikely Duo Rethinking Wearable Technology - Ad

Why did a surgeon and Snap exec team up? They saw the missing ingredient in the $84T wearables market: behavior. So they built Emteq and invented smart glasses sensors to track real-time expressions, unlocking insights into why we do things. With a $15M term sheet already secured, Emteq is what Big Tech's missing.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Wall Street Says BUY GOLD, But... - Ad

While markets wobble, gold keeps smashing records-and banks say it's just beginning. Goldman urges "buy gold" to hedge trade wars; JPMorgan plans $6,000 an ounce and just took delivery of $4 billion in bullion. Yet past bull runs saw 13x-1,000x bigger gains without buying more gold.

These are the celebs who are attending Jeff Bezos’ Venice wedding

VENICE, Italy (AP) — arrived in Venice on Thursday, leading a star-studded guest list of celebrities descending on the lagoon city for the weekend wedding of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez.

BigBear.ai (BBAI) Stock Soars 21%: What's Going On?

Shares of BigBear.ai are trading sharply higher Tuesday afternoon. The rally comes without any new company-specific announcements.

Back This Medical AI Tech - Ad

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

Scott Bessent On Replacing Powell As Fed Chair: 'I Will Do What The President Wants' — Plays Down Shadow Chair Speculations

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declined to rule out the possibility of replacing Jerome Powell as Federal Reserve Chair and has instead deferred to President Donald Trump's decision on the matter.

US brings charges in North Korean remote worker scheme that officials say funds weapons program

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department announced criminal charges Monday in connection with a scheme by North Korea to fund its weapons program through the salaries of remote information technology workers employed unwittingly by U.S. companies.

FDA Submission Expected This Summer - Invest Before It Happens - Ad

This company is making heart disease easier to detect with AI. Their tech has officially been designated a "Breakthrough" by the FDA. You now have an opportunity to get in at a potential inflection point.

Trump's Approval Ratings, Tariff Deadlines, Schumer's Criticism, And Defense Budget Shifts: This Week In Politics

Trump's approval ratings drop after Iran attack, hints at tariff deadline flexibility. SC limits judges' power, Schumer criticizes GOP budget, defense budget shifts to missiles and drones.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after July 23rd, it may be too late.

Diddy Jury Deadlocked On Racketeering Conspiracy Charge As Verdicts Reached On Sex Trafficking Counts — Jurors To Return Wednesday

Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial reached verdicts on four charges related to sex trafficking but remain deadlocked on the racketeering conspiracy charge, with deliberations set to continue.

Hong Kong's security net extends beyond arrests as small businesses pressured

HONG KONG (AP) — It’s been years since all but silenced pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong. But a crackdown on dissent in the semiautonomous Chinese city is still expanding, hitting restaurants, bookstores and other small businesses.

A Historic Gold Announcement Is About to Rock Wall Street - Ad

The greatest investor of all time is about to validate what Garrett Goggin has been saying for months: Gold is entering a once-in-a-generation mania. Front-running Buffett has never been more urgent - and four tiny miners could be your ticket to 100X gains.

California-Trump Legal Battle Over National Guard Deployment Escalates After Court Ruling

California's legal battle with Trump over military deployment in LA is at a standstill after an appeals court ruled in Trump's favor.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright trendadvisor.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service