By Live 5 Web Staff
Published: Feb. 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM PST|Updated: 5 hours ago
WASHINGTON (WCSC) - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division confirmed Monday night it has an active investigation into accusations of assault, voyeurism and harassment involving the former fiance of U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace.
“SLED opened an investigation regarding allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism on Dec. 14, 2023, after being contacted by the United States Capitol Police,” SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said in a statement. “Since that date SLED has conducted multiple interviews, served multiple search warrants, and has a well-documented case file that will be available for release upon the conclusion of the case.”
The subject of the SLED investigation is Patrick Bryant, whom Mace identified as her former fiance during a speech on the U.S. House floor earlier Monday night.
Wunderlich said the investigation is active and ongoing and has “involved multiple lawyers.”
She said when the investigation is complete, it will be sent to a prosecutor for review.
Bryant released a statement shortly after the speech:
I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name.
During her speech, Mace accused Bryant and three other men of what she called “some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable” but claimed they have not faced charges even after prosecutors received evidence.
The First District Congresswoman alleged four men from Sullivan’s Island, the Isle of Palms, Mount Pleasant and Rock Hill, conspired to commit rape and to take nonconsensual exploitative photos and videos of women and underage girls.
She further claimed that when she confronted Bryant about evidence she found of the alleged crimes, he assaulted her.
She also said while visiting a property owned by one of the men in 2022, she was served two small vodka soda and inexplicably blacked out. She said she found multiple videos of women who were naked or were being abused and said one of the videos showed her.
However, none of the municipalities where the men live were able to confirm that any such crime had been reported.
There is no record of charges against any of the four men.
Mace also takes aim at SC attorney general, his office responds
Mace accused South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson of “deliberate delays” in investigating and did not indict any of the men after being provided with “clear cut and dry evidence” that included video, photos and witnesses.
Attorney General’s Office spokesman Robert Kittle released a statement Monday night, calling Mace’s allegations about Wilson’s conduct “categorically false:”
Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General. At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters. Additionally, the Attorney General and members of his office have had no role and no knowledge of these allegations until her public statements.
Congresswoman Mace and the Attorney General have been at multiple events together over the last six months. She also has the Attorney General’s personal cellphone number. Not once has she approached or reached out to him regarding any of her concerns.
Regarding her claim that the Attorney General refused to receive evidence of a crime from a victim’s attorney, it is important to clarify that the Attorney General is the chief prosecutor. For this reason, the Attorney General would always direct any citizen to provide evidence of a crime to the appropriate law enforcement agency, which would be responsible for the investigation.
Since stepping into office, the Attorney General has made it a priority to strengthen the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, establish the Human Trafficking Task Force, which is now considered a model nationwide, led efforts to reform the state’s domestic violence laws, and created the Crime Victim Services Division, which makes it easier for victims to receive help. Before serving as Attorney General, Alan Wilson served as an Assistant Solicitor and Assistant Attorney General, successfully prosecuting many heinous crimes against women and children.
It is clear that Attorney General Alan Wilson has built his career on protecting the most vulnerable in our state; any statement otherwise is blatantly false and politically motivated.
Both Mace and Wilson are regarded as likely candidates in the 2026 governor’s race along with Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette.
During her speech, Mace also encouraged anyone who might be a victim to report abuse and provide more information or evidence by calling 843-212-7048.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Though Rep. Nancy Mace named the four men during her speech, we are not naming the three who are apparently not charged or named as being the subject of a state investigation.
