Columbia, South Carolina, October 17, 2025
News Summary
Former Representative R.J. May is facing legal challenges, including ten counts of distributing child pornography and a tax investigation. The South Carolina House Ethics Committee is probing his financial dealings, revealing he failed to pay personal and business income taxes. May pled guilty to multiple charges and resigned from his position, now awaiting sentencing in 2026. His case raises serious ethical concerns within South Carolina’s political landscape, highlighting the need for accountability among public officials.
Columbia, South Carolina – Former Representative Robert John “R.J.” May, a Republican from Lexington County, is facing serious legal troubles as he is currently under investigation by the South Carolina House Ethics Committee for failing to pay personal and business income taxes during his time in office. May’s legal issues escalated when he was arrested in June on ten counts of distributing child pornography, related to multiple videos depicting child sexual abuse.
Initially pleading not guilty to the charges, May ultimately resigned from his House District 88 seat on August 7, 2025, citing concerns for his family and constituents. Following his resignation, he pled guilty to five charges of distributing child pornography in a plea agreement that led to the dismissal of the other five counts. He is now awaiting sentencing, which is set for January 2026, at the Edgefield County Detention Center.
The underlying investigation revealed a staggering number of over 220 videos of child sexual abuse connected to May. Additionally, an attorney hired by the House Ethics Committee, Mark Moore, confirmed that May failed to file taxes for both his personal and business income from 2022 to 2024. This situation raised questions about his financial integrity, particularly regarding allegations he did not disclose all of his assets when requesting a public defender, an obligation under federal law.
Furthermore, the inquiry into May’s conduct uncovered significant irregularities in his political consulting firm, Ivory Tusk Consulting, which was found to be unregistered with the Secretary of State. This revelation prompted further scrutiny around his financial dealings. During the investigation, it was noted that several members of the House of Representatives, including individuals from the Freedom Caucus, with whom May closely collaborated, were reportedly uncooperative, leading to delays in the inquiry process.
Despite the committee’s unanimous vote indicating that May committed ethical violations, they could not move for his expulsion since he had resigned during the ongoing investigation. Chairman Jay Jordan emphasized the importance of accountability for May’s actions, particularly as his conduct involved distributing child sexual abuse material while serving as a sitting member of the legislature. The committee’s findings suggest serious ramifications for May, with potential prison sentences reaching up to 100 years.
Additionally, there were allegations of unreported debt owed to May by some colleagues within the Freedom Caucus, which was not disclosed during his public defender request. The investigation demonstrated that members of the Freedom Caucus expressed reluctance to cooperate, complicating the committee’s efforts to gather comprehensive information. The inquiry also resulted in attorneys representing the committee issuing subpoenas to these reluctant lawmakers, although challenges in securing interviews persisted.
Investigators have maintained a focus not only on May’s criminal conduct but also on significant financial irregularities that may constitute violations of state ethics laws. The ongoing investigation has shed light on the pressing need for accountability among public officials and the integrity of the political process in South Carolina.
FAQ
What charges is former S.C. Representative R.J. May facing?
Former Rep. Robert John “R.J.” May is facing ten counts of distributing child pornography and is under investigation for failing to pay personal and business income taxes during his time in office.
What was discovered during the investigation of R.J. May?
More than 220 videos of child sexual abuse linked to May were discovered, along with failure to file taxes for personal and business income from 2022 to 2024.
What is R.J. May’s current legal status?
May has pled guilty to five charges of distributing child pornography and is awaiting sentencing scheduled for January 2026 at the Edgefield County Detention Center.
What implications does this investigation have on R.J. May’s political career?
The House Ethics Committee voted unanimously that May committed ethical violations, but he could not be expelled since he resigned during the investigation.
Key Features of R.J. May’s Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Charges | Ten counts of distributing child pornography |
| Tax Violations | Failure to file taxes from 2022 to 2024 |
| Criminal Evidence | Over 220 videos of child sexual abuse |
| Current Status | Pled guilty, awaiting sentencing in January 2026 |
| Ethical Violations | Unanimously found by the House Ethics Committee |
| Prison Sentence Potential | Up to 100 years |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Early Voting Begins for South Carolina House District 88
Investigation Looms Over South Carolina State Rep. R.J. May III
South Carolina Lawmakers Resign, Special Elections Ahead
Racist Text Messages Spark Outrage at South Carolina Universities
Additional Resources
- SC Daily Gazette: Ex-Rep. R.J. May Failed to Pay Income Tax
- WRDW: State House Ethics Committee Would Have Expelled R.J. May
- Post and Courier: R.J. May Ethics Investigation
- WISTV: Ex-SC Rep. R.J. May Seeks Delay in Federal Trial
- Wikipedia: R.J. May
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Sexual Abuse
- Google Search: R.J. May
- Google News: R.J. May
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethics
- Google Scholar: Child Pornography
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