SLED clears Fanning

COLUMBIA – State Senator Mike Fanning has been cleared by the State Law Enforcement Division of accusations by an Estill woman last fall that Fanning had an inappropriate relationship with her when she was a teenager and a student in his class.
In a report filed with the Hampton County’s Office Sept. 30, 2016, the woman said the relationship lasted into her college years.
“Based on a review of the materials provided and research of the applicable law, the information given would be insufficient to support any general sessions charges,” SLED investigator Sean P. Thornton stated in a memo last month. “I would note that the law prior to 2010 did not include a specific section dealing with teacher student relationships,” Thornton wrote.