HILTON HEAD ISLAND - A newspaper's review of public records shows potential inconsistencies in the testimony of a newly elected judge from the Lowcountry.

Last month, the Legislature elected Carmen Tevis Mullen circuit judge in the 14th Judicial Circuit. When she testified before the Judicial Merit Selection Commission in December, Mullen said she has lived on Hilton Head Island since 2004 and has maintained an office on the island since 2001.

But records reviewed by The (Hilton Head) Island Packet appear to be at odds with Mullen's testimony before the panel that reviews the backgrounds of judicial candidates and nominates them for judgeships.

The documents show a car owned by Mullen was issued tags in Charleston County in September 2005. They also show she acquired a business license on Hilton Head Island Head less than two weeks ago, despite maintaining a license for her practice in Charleston since 2001, the paper reported in Sunday's edition.

Driver's license records show Mullen didn't change her address on her license to Hilton Head Island until September 2005, according to the Island Packet.

The 14th Circuit covers Allendale, Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper counties. Charleston County is in the Ninth Circuit.

Mullen did not want to talk about the documents with the paper, saying state Supreme Court Chief Justice Jean Toal had advised her not to speak on the judicial selection process because a lawsuit is pending.

A Hilton Head Island lawyer and a public interest group sued the Judicial Merit Selection Committee, saying the group ignored questions about Mullen's residency.

Mullen's husband, attorney George Mullen, blames the inconstancies on minor slips, like not getting her car registered in time.

"Ideally, it would probably be nice" to update addresses and tax records as soon as necessary, he said. As a practical matter, he asked, "do people actually go and do that?"

Carmen Mullen's office on Hilton Head Island is in the same building as her husband's office, while her Charleston office is in her husband's law firm. With that kind of collaboration, she didn't think she needed her own business license, George Mullen said.

A citizen's committee that screens judicial candidates first was concerned about Mullen's residency and did not recommend her to be a judge. The merit commission reviewed voter registration, drivers license and tax returns records and nominated her along with two other candidates.