Embattled conservative commentator and Marion County native Armstrong Williams will be the guest speaker at Monday’s Greater Mullins Chamber of Commerce annual banquet, and he said he will use the event as an opportunity to talk about ethics.

“I’m going to talk about my situation, integrity and honor,” he said, “(and about) being accountable when you cross ethical lines and being willing to admit mistakes.”

Each week in his newspaper column and TV program called “The Right Side,” Williams brought his perspective to current events, commenting on everything from the war in Iraq to the overmedication of children who have trouble sitting still in classrooms.

One of Washington’s most sought-after and respected political pundits, Williams found himself in the crossfire Jan. 7 when USA Today reported that he had accepted $240,000 from the U.S. Department of Education to promote the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind Act on his nationally syndicated TV show.

Tribune Media Services, which syndicates “The Right Side” column to newspapers across the nation, canceled the column. Williams’ integrity was questioned as critics charged that promotion of the legislation in his shows and columns was, at the very least, a conflict of interest.

Williams apologized for making an error in judgment, but said he has broken no law. The firestorm might not be over for him, however, as Education Secretary Rod Paige, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission and several members of Congress have requested investigations.

“I crossed the line, and I should have acknowledged that to my syndicate,” Williams said. “I cannot ignore that fact.” When asked whether he thought he was targeted for criticism because he is a black conservative, Williams said no. “Race has nothing to do with it,” he said. “If someone wants to come after you, they can find something. ... They want to silence my voice, the people who don’t like my point of view.”

Williams refused to respond to a question about the No Child Left Behind Act, although on his Web site he calls it the best piece of education legislation in 20 years.

He was interviewed the same day his younger brother, Kent, a Democrat, took office as South Carolina’s District 30 senator.

“I’m so proud of him,” Williams said of the senator. “I’ve seen him growing so much before and after campaign.” Williams said he could help his brother by using his contacts to generate business for the Marion area.

“We want to start exploring what kinds of industries would be good here,” he said, adding that he had been speaking about business development with a local bank president.

Williams said there is no future left in traditional industries such as tobacco and textiles.

“I think they have run their course,” he said.

Monday’s annual banquet will be at the Marion County Technical Education Center. The reception begins at 6 p.m. with entertainment provided by local musician Morris Ward. A buffet dinner follows at 7 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance. Seating is limited to 250 people, and no tickets will be sold at the door.

For more information, call (843) 464-6651.

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