Chris Corley
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives
from the 84th district
In office
December 2, 2014 – January 24, 2017
Preceded byJ. Roland Smith
Succeeded byRonnie Young
Personal details
Born
Christopher Aaron Corley

(1980-09-12) September 12, 1980
Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseHeather Medlock Corley[1]
Children3[1]
ProfessionPolitician, Lawyer[1]
Known fordomestic violence,[2] Modern display of the Confederate flag[3]

Christopher Aaron Corley (born September 12, 1980) is an American politician. He is a former member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the 84th District, serving from 2014 to 2017. He is a member of the Republican Party.[1][4]

Corley resigned from the State House in early 2017 amid domestic violence allegations, to which he pled guilty. He resigned his seat before expulsion hearings could begin.[5]

Early life and career

Corley was born in Augusta, Georgia to Kyle Corley and Shirley Corley on September 12, 1980.[1][6] Corley graduated from Midland Valley High School in 1998, from the University of South Carolina Aiken in 2002 with a degree in political science, and in 2008 from the University of South Carolina School of Law.[1][6][7][8]

He was previously the youngest registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C.[8] He also owned the Law Offices of Christopher Corley in Augusta, Georgia.[7][8][9] Corley lives in Graniteville with his wife and three children.[6][10]

Electoral history

In 2014, Corley defeated Adam Mestres, Rick Turnbull, and Lance Weaver in the Republican primary for the 84th district, which includes an area of South Carolina northeast of Augusta, across the Savannah River.[11] Corley defeated Rosie Berry in the general election.[12][13] In the 2016 South Carolina House of Representatives election, Corley ran unopposed.[12][14] Corley has served on the Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Environmental Affairs committees.[1][12]

Political positions

Corley introduced a series of bills proposing drug testing for recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) assistance, as well as limiting the benefits that able-bodied adults can receive.[15] Corley supported a law granting reciprocity to gun owners from Georgia, as well as a failed effort to allow reciprocity for all concealed weapons permits.[16] Corley had previously expressed skepticism about laws restricting individuals accused or convicted of domestic violence from possessing firearms.[17]

During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Corley supported then-candidate Donald Trump and was his co-chairman in Aiken County.[18][19][20]

Confederate flag controversy

Corley is an opponent of South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, the governor having previously implored "anyone" to run against Corley during his re-election campaign.[18] In July 2015, he suggested the State of South Carolina should fly a white flag of surrender on the State House grounds in place of the Confederate Flag which was removed by the South Carolina General Assembly following the Charleston church shooting. Corley later sent Christmas cards featuring the Confederate Flag to his fellow Republican lawmakers, suggesting they "take this joyous time as an opportunity to ask for forgiveness of all your sins such as betrayal".[3][21]

Admission of guilt in domestic abuse

In December 2016, during an argument with his wife in which she accused him of infidelity, Corley allegedly punched her in the face, pointed a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE 9mm pistol at her, and threatened to kill her in the presence of two of their children.[22][23] Corley was arrested and charged with first-degree criminal domestic violence. Following a hearing, he was released on bond. The felony charges carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Corley could also have been suspended from the House of Representatives.[10][24]

On January 4, 2017, Corley was indicted on domestic violence and weapons charges and suspended from duties of office. He could have faced up to 25 years in prison.[2][25] Later that month, on January 24, Corley resigned from the South Carolina House of Representatives. On August 7, 2017, Corley pled guilty to charges of first degree domestic violence and in exchange was given five years probation.[5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Representative Christopher A. Corley". South Carolina State House. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Adcox, Seanna (January 4, 2017). "S Carolina legislator indicted on domestic violence charges". Associated Press. Retrieved January 5, 2017. Rep. Chris Corley was indicted on felony charges of domestic violence of a high and aggravated nature and pointing a firearm, said state Attorney General Alan Wilson. The charges could net Corley up to 25 years in prison.
  3. 1 2 "Rep. Chris Corley suggests Confederate flag be replaced with a white flag of surrender". The State. December 27, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Chris Corley". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved April 25, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Meg Kinnard. "5 years probation for Chris Corley, former Aiken lawmaker who beat wife in front of kids". WCIV. Associated Press. Retrieved 2017-10-17.
  6. 1 2 3 "2015-2016 South Carolina House of Representatives Freshman Members" (PDF). South Carolina State House. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2016. CORLEY, Christopher Aaron [R] -(Dist. No. 84, Aiken Co.)-Atty.; residing at 118 Sugarhill Dr., Graniteville; b. Sept. 12, 1980 in Augusta, Ga.; s. Kyle Corley and Shirley Corley; g. Univ. of S.C., J.D., 2008; Aug. 7, 2004 m. Heather Medlock Corley, 2 children, Cannon Milledge and Mari-Claire Elizabeth.
  7. 1 2 Biles, Dede (February 16, 2014). "Corley seeking seat in House". Aiken Standard. Retrieved January 1, 2017. Corley is a 1998 graduate of Midland Valley High School. In 2002, he graduated from USC Aiken with a degree in political science. He is a 2008 graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Law. Corley owns the Law Offices of Christopher Corley on Greene Street in Augusta. He is married to the former Heather Medlock, and they have two children.
  8. 1 2 3 "Polis" (PDF). University of South Carolina Aiken. Fall 2012. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 31, 2016. Chris Corley (Political Science, 2002) is a 2008 graduate of the USC Law School. Once the youngest registered lobbyist in Washington, DC, Chris clerked for SC's 11th district solicitor, Donnie Myers, and then worked as an associate for an Augusta, Ga. Law firm. He now has his own law firm in Augusta and practices criminal defense, personal injury, family law, construction law, and civil plaintiff's representation. He is married to the former Heather Medlock and has two children, Cannon, who is 6, and Mari-Claire, who is 3.
  9. ↑ Corley, Christopher (August 30, 2011). "A DUI in Georgia- You have 10 days to save your driver's license". John Mixon & Associates. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. If you have a DUI or any other problem in which the DDS has or may suspend your license then contact the Law Offices of Christopher Corley at 706.925.3686. We are located at 436 Greene Street, Augusta, GA in the same office building as John Mixon and Associates.
  10. 1 2 Roldán, Cynthia (December 28, 2016). "Legislator charged with felony domestic violence against his wife". Charlotte Observer.
  11. ↑ Asberry, Derreck (June 10, 2014). "Corley to face Berry for House District 84". Aiken Standard. Retrieved January 1, 2017. With 75 of 76 precincts reporting, Corley walked away with more than 58 percent of the vote. Adam Mestres, of North Augusta finished second with 21 percent of the votes, followed by Rick Turnbull with 18 percent and Lance Weaver with 2 percent of the votes. Corley attributed his victory to the support of his team and called the win "remarkable," considering he was able to run against three other candidates and not have to face a run-off.
  12. 1 2 3 "Chris Corley". Ballotpedia.
  13. ↑ WFXG (November 15, 2014). "Republican Chris Corley wins House District 84 seat". WHNS. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Republican Chris Corley defeated Democrat Rosie Berry Tuesday night in the race for South Carolina House District 84. Corley replaces long-time seat-holder Roland Smith. Corley won with about 64 percent of the vote, while Berry finished with about 36 percent.
  14. ↑ Cleveland, Christina (November 6, 2016). "General Election 2016: Who's running, where to vote". Aiken Standard. Retrieved January 1, 2017. Reps. Chris Corley, R-Graniteville, and Bill Taylor, R-Aiken, also do not face opposition in the House Districts 84 and 86 races.
  15. ↑ Garrison, De'Jonique. "South Carolina State Representative proposes drug testing for SNAP recipients". WorldNow. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Corley has introduced a series of bills proposing drug testing the state's SNAP recipients, as well as putting limits on what able-bodied adults with no dependants can receive. Corley said, "It would be random drug testing. We've got a whole set of criteria if you fail a drug test. The punishments get worse up to a third offense."
  16. ↑ Prabhu, Maya T.; Schechter, Maayan (December 29, 2016). "State Rep. Chris Corley accused of punching wife in face, pointing gun at her". The Post and Courier. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Corley's voting record shows consistent support of gun rights. He voted in favor of a law granting reciprocity to gun owners in Georgia, which allows them to carry concealed weapons in South Carolina. Corley also supported a failed effort to allow reciprocity for all out-of-state concealed weapons permit holders.
  17. ↑ Schechter, Maayan; Ulmer, Michael (December 26, 2014). "Legislators talk guns, domestic violence". Aiken Standard. Retrieved January 1, 2017. The weapons ban would take guns out of abusers' hands while under protective orders, including those convicted of domestic violence who could not possess a gun for a decade after their sentence is served. While the ban already sits under the federal umbrella, requiring a federal prosecution, both state and local law enforcement can't enforce the law without a corresponding state law. New House member S.C. Rep. Chris Corley, R-Warrenville, is unsure of whether writing up a state law to combat domestic violence will work. "The domestic violence issue in South Carolina, I don't know if that's something government can completely fix," Corley said. "As far as what we can do as the government, you know, stiffer mandatory penalties. I don't know that saying you can't have a gun because you get convicted of domestic violence, I don't know if that's going to stop someone from future domestic violence."
  18. 1 2 Schechter, Maayan (March 2, 2016). "Gov. Haley calls for 'anyone' to run against Chris Corley". Aiken Standard. Retrieved January 1, 2017.
  19. ↑ Dawsey, Josh; Schwartz, Felicia; Bauerlein, Valerie (February 18, 2016). "South Carolina GOP Stalwarts Fear Primary Will Only Underscore Party Rifts". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 1, 2017. But Tom Richey, a conservative in upstate South Carolina, said Mr. Trump's cursing made him more attractive as a candidate. That perspective was echoed by local GOP Rep. Chris Corley, of Aiken as thousands have packed into Mr. Trump's rallies and many say they would consider no other contender. "We're tired of having these wimpy candidates," Mr. Corley said
  20. ↑ Cleveland, Christina (May 13, 2016). "S.C. GOP members discuss Trump as nominee". Aiken Standard. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Though few Aiken elected officials publicly endorsed candidates ahead of the S.C. primaries in February, Trump picked up endorsements from State Reps. Bill Hixon, R-North Augusta, and Chris Corley, R-Graniteville, also both co-chairmen of the local grassroots group.
  21. ↑ "S.C. lawmaker sends Confederate flag Christmas card". CBS News. Associated Press. December 4, 2015. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. A South Carolina lawmaker sent out a Christmas card featuring a photo of the Confederate flag that was removed this year from the Statehouse to his Republican colleagues, suggesting they use the holiday to "ask for forgiveness of all your sins such as betrayal."
  22. ↑ Kulmala, Teddy (December 29, 2016). "This S.C. House member is a gun advocate. But now he's barred from having one". The McClatchy Company. Retrieved December 31, 2016. Corley's wife told deputies he threatened to kill her in their Graniteville home and that the only thing that stopped him was the screams of their children, according to sheriff's records. Corley reportedly then grabbed the pistol from his vehicle outside their home and pointed it at her, officials have said. The Smith & Wesson SD9VE 9mm that Corley retrieved from his vehicle and pointed at his wife was seized as evidence, Abdullah said.
  23. ↑ Guerra, Kistine (December 31, 2016). "'Just stop, Daddy': A lawmaker beat his wife as his children pleaded with him, officials say". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on December 31, 2016. Corley hit his wife in the face and threatened to kill her in front of their children, according to an incident report from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office. His wife told investigators that Corley only stopped hitting her because the children were screaming and her head was bleeding. He then went out to his vehicle, came back with a handgun and pointed it at his wife, threatened to kill himself, and then went to the bedroom, the report states.
  24. ↑ Roldán, Cynthia (December 27, 2016). "Aiken legislator charged with felony domestic violence of his wife". The State. Because of the seriousness of the charges, Corley was suspended from the S.C. House of Representatives. House Speaker Jay Lucas is monitoring the situation, said his spokeswoman, Caroline Delleney. "If and when an indictment is issued, the speaker will take the necessary action to comply with the law and maintain the dignity of the House of Representatives," Delleney said. Corley is charged in warrants, not an indictment issued by a grand jury.
  25. ↑ Adcox, Seanna (January 5, 2017). "Legislators: Rep. accused of beating his wife should resign". Charlotte Observer (via Associated Press). Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved January 5, 2017. The comments come a day after Rep. Chris Corley was indicted on felony domestic violence charges and suspended from his House seat.
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