Three men accused by Representative Nancy Mace during a House floor speech now face criminal charges. The men were charged Wednesday with sex crimes and voyeurism. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in 2018.
One of the accused is the former fiancé of the South Carolina representative. The other two men are his business associates. All three were named during Mace’s congressional remarks.
Prosecutors say the case involves allegations of sexual assault and secret recording. The charges were filed after a lengthy investigation. Details of the incident have not been fully released.
Mace publicly accused the men during a speech in the House chamber. Her remarks drew national attention and prompted calls for an inquiry. The speech marked a rare instance of a lawmaker naming private citizens on the floor.
The former fiancé and his associates have not yet entered pleas. Court records do not list attorneys for the men. A court date has not been scheduled.
Voyeurism charges typically involve observing or recording someone without consent. Sex crime charges carry severe penalties under South Carolina law. Convictions could result in prison time and mandatory registration as a sex offender.
Mace has not commented on the charges since they were filed. Her office declined to answer questions about the case. The investigation remains active.
The incident reportedly took place in 2018, years before Mace made her accusations public. The statute of limitations for such crimes varies by jurisdiction. Prosecutors say the charges were filed within the legal window.
Legal experts say the case could hinge on evidence collected during the investigation. Witness testimony may also play a central role. The men are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
