COLUMBIA - A lobbying firm closely tied to the House speaker's brother has removed all public signs of the connection weeks after the arrangement sparked ire in state government circles.

John Harrell, the younger brother of Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, ruffled feathers this summer when he announced he was opening a new Southern Strategy Group office in Columbia.

The firm advertises "unparalleled access to top decision-makers." John Harrell was a "new partner" in the venture, and was not going to be lobbying lawmakers, the announcement stated.

But it was how closely John Harrell aligned himself with his powerful bloodline that irritated some lawmakers and lobbyists.

The August announcement, as well as John Harrell's biography on the group's Web site, touted the positions held by his brother and father, Bob Harrell Sr. "John's family is deeply rooted in South Carolina politics; his father, Bob Harrell, is one of seven members of the South Carolina Highway Commission ... and his brother, Bobby, is Speaker of the House of Representatives," it stated.

The press release and biography recently were removed from the Southern Strategy Web site. John Harrell's name no longer appears on the site. The move came a few weeks after newspaper reports highlighted the arrangement.

Brandon Dermody, the group's managing partner in South Carolina, said the material was taken off the site because "it was causing confusion" among potential clients. "They were confusing John with a lobbyist," he said.

John Harrell said in a recent interview that the changes don't mean anything. "My status with them is still general counsel," Harrell said. "I'm still plugged in ... and I'll help them with clients. (But) my real love is the law."

When Harrell's law firm first created a lobbying arm in 2001, he said he was worried about the perception, but not when he opened the Southern Strategy office. He said the recent changes had "absolutely zero" to do with the negative perception about the group's launch.

Many lobbyists and lawmakers said the damage was already done and that potential clients still are fully aware of the connections.

John Harrell could have registered as a lobbyist if he wanted. It's not illegal. To register, he also would have had to give up his role as chairman of a pro-business political action committee.

Bobby Harrell said his brother asked that his name be removed because he wasn't going to lobby lawmakers, which suited the speaker just fine. "It removes some of the questions," he said.

Contact John Frank at jbfrank@postandcourier.com.