Investigation underway …

Officials with the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) are investigating an incident which reportedly took place last weekend at the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport (GSP) involving embattled U.S. congressman William Timmons of South Carolina.

This media outlet has prepared federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in the hopes of obtaining additional information about the investigation – and the incident which prompted it – including any available audio and video files from the alleged encounter.

We have also reached out to Timmons directly to get his take on what transpired, but as of this writing have received no response. According to our sources, the TSA investigation into the incident was initiated by a complaint from Timmons.

What happened? Details are hazy but initial reports point to some sort of confrontation as Timmons was attempting to board a flight to Washington, D.C.

A scandal-scarred third-term representative from Greenville, S.C., Timmons is still recovering from the ‘Days of our Congressman’ saga, a self-induced implosion in his personal life that spit out damaging headlines for months on end. Things have gotten so bad for him he’s been forced to use tax money in an effort to boost his tattered image as he faces a credible challenge from Adam Morgan, chairman of the S.C. Freedom Caucus.

Timmons and Morgan face voters in less than two months’ time – on June 11, 2024.

***

To recap: Timmons kicked off the ‘Days of our Congressman‘ drama via an unsolicited “prayers and privacy” statement provided to this media outlet two years ago in response to rumors of his affair with a self-styled socialite, Paula Dhier. As I’ve often noted, this news outlet did not request a statement from Timmons regarding his mistress and gave no indication of any plans to cover their tryst. In fact, FITSNews generally eschews reporting on affairs unless they involve misspent tax dollars, abuse of office, attendant criminality or some glaring, over-the-top hypocrisy on the part of the elected official in question.

Timmons’ preemptive statement was apparently a deliberate attempt to torpedo his marriage, sources familiar with the situation say. That part of the ruse worked, too. But the congressman quickly lost control of the narrative, and shortly thereafter saw it escape completely from his grasp.

Timmons hails from a fifth-generation, über-wealthy, über-influential family in Greenville, S.C. His great-grandfather – William R. Timmons Sr. – built an empire in the Upstate beginning in the mid-1920s, focusing on the real estate, trucking and insurance industries. The family – which helped establish the city’s civic and philanthropic communities – is reportedly worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

Count on this media outlet to keep our audience in the loop as our investigation of the Timmons-TSA drama continues …

***

ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Will Folks is the founding editor of the news outlet you are currently reading. Prior to founding FITSNews, he served as press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and before that he was a bass guitarist and dive bar bouncer. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and seven (soon to be eight) children.

***

WANNA SOUND OFF?

Got something you’d like to say in response to one of our articles? Or an issue you’d like to proactively address? We have an open microphone policy here at FITSNews! Submit your letter to the editor (or guest column) via email HERE. Got a tip for a story? CLICK HERE. Got a technical question or a glitch to report? CLICK HERE.