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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 8, 2002 |
CONTACT: Kay Maxwell
(803)734-1605
(803)518-0918 |
NOTARIES FALL UNDER ATTORNEY
GENERAL’S OPINION
Miles Issues
Advisory in Response to Inquiries from Notaries Around the State
STATEMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF
SECRETARY OF STATE JIM MILES
The Attorney General has issued an
opinion regarding the passage in the S.C. Constitution barring anyone holding an
office of "honor, trust or profit" from gambling. According to the Attorney
General’s opinion, the law applies to all “public officials.”
The opinion states that public officials may not play the lottery or engage in
any form of gambling. "Public officials" includes anyone who takes an oath of
office.
Notaries and members of boards and commissions should be advised that the
Attorney General's opinion appears to apply to both notaries and members of
boards and commissions since they take an oath of office. Therefore, they should
refrain from playing or in anyway being associated with the lottery - or any
form of gambling. The penalty is loss of their commission.
The Secretary of State's Office advises citizens that all legal inquiries should
be directed to the Attorney General at (803) 734-1970.
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