Assistant SC Attorney General Resigns After Being Caught With Stripper

Columbia, SC—A Columbia police officer was patrolling the Elmwood Cemetery Monday afternoon, around 3:15 p.m. His report says he was in a secluded area known for sex acts and drug use, and when he approached a car that was parked there, it took off. He radioed other officers, who stopped the car a few blocks away. Inside was 66-year-old Roland Corning, and an 18-year-old woman who works at a strip club a few miles away. Corning told the officer he was an assistant Attorney General, and showed him his badge.

Robert Kittle, reporting: “The police officer’s wife also works for the Attorney General’s Office, so he called her and then later released Corning with no charges. That raises the question of whether Corning got preferential treatment.“

But, SC Attorney General Henry McMaster says the call was just to confirm Corning’s identity.

Kittle: “Did anybody from your office encourage the Columbia Police to release him, without any charges?“

Henry McMaster, SC Attorney General: “No. We had no conversations like that.“

Columbia’s Police Chief has reviewed the stop, and says the officer was correct in releasing Corning with no charges.

Chief Tandy Carter, Columbia Police Department: “The officer released the driver, Mr. Corning, after no criminal acts had been observed.“

The officer did search Corning’s car, and found Viagra and sex toys, but nothing illegal.

But, McMaster says it was inappropriate for an Assistant Attorney General who’s married.

McMaster: “He was given the option. We gave him the option to resign. He resigned close of business on Monday.“

Corning was also a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives, from 1987 to 1994.

When Corning was in the House, he represented northeast Richland County. He’s also active in the state Republican Party. He could not be reached for comment.