A lobbying group with ties to the S.C. House speaker’s brother has removed all references to the connection from the company’s Web site.

A biography of John Harrell, younger brother of House Speaker Bobby Harrell, R-Charleston, recently was taken off the Southern Strategy Group’s Web site.

Harrell’s bio mentioned his brother’s political position, as well as his father Bob Harrell Sr.’s seat on the South Carolina Transportation Commission.

An August news release announcing that Brandon Dermody and John Harrell were opening a Columbia branch of the Florida-based firm also was removed from the Web site.

Although the notice stated that John Harrell would not be lobbying lawmakers, the group soon came under fire.

John Crangle, executive director of the state chapter of Common Cause, called the language “a rather vulgar and transparent attempt to make prospective clients think that they’re going to obtain a special advantage not available to them through other lobbyists to influence the legislative process.”

The group’s Web site boasts its “unparalleled access to top decision-makers throughout the Southeast.”

John Harrell’s name no longer appears on the site.

Dermody, managing partner for the group’s South Carolina office, said the material was removed because “it was causing confusion” among potential clients.

“They were confusing John with a lobbyist,” he said.

The group now lists on its Web site that Bonnie Drake is working in the company’s Columbia office. Drake registered as a lobbyist Oct. 7, according to the State Ethics Commission.

Dermody did not return calls for comment. The former U.S. Senate aide is a registered lobbyist. According to the commission, John Harrell is not registered.

The six-year-old firm bills itself as the Southeast’s largest lobbying firm, with 19 lobbyists and 150 clients in five states.

John Harrell recently said that he is the group’s general counsel and has also described his role as “office manager.”