SUMTER, S.C. - State Sen. Phil Leventis has threatened to sue the state's prison director to stop him from negotiating plans to privatize medical services offered to inmates.

The Sumter Democrat says Department of Corrections Director Jon Ozmint is violating the law by usurping authority of the State Budget and Control Board and lawmakers. Leventis says Ozmint is not allowed to negotiate a contract with private medical providers before a study on the issue is complete.

Ozmint said the department would not enter into a contract until after the study is completed, but would continue to search for a company to handle the services.

"We intend to proceed with negotiations with the highest-ranked bidder," Ozmint said. "These negotiations will allow us to determine the final scope of services, staffing, price and other provisions of the potential contract."

But Leventis isn't happy with the explanation.

"He said once the study is done, he will sign the contract. That is not so smart because then you still have a contract and obligations," Leventis said.

A spokesman for Republican Gov. Mark Sanford said Leventis has misinterpreted the law.

"Sadly, Phil Leventis is clinging desperately to a failed status quo by threatening people with frivolous lawsuits," said spokesman Will Folks. "It's one thing to disagree with the governor's efforts to make our state more efficient and more accountable to the taxpayers; it's another thing entirely to threaten an entire state agency in such a reckless, immature manner."

Leventis said he is concerned about what privatizing could cost South Carolinians. He said the bids have been as high as $75 million.

"The amount we spend on South Carolina inmates is about the lowest in the nation," said Leventis, who has attended public meetings on this issue, and has discussed it with the Department of Corrections employees.

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Information from: The Item, http://www.theitem.com/