Galyean Files Lawsuit Against Sanders, Two Others
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
James Galyean, CEO at Icelaven Development Group and former candidate in the recent race for South Carolina House Dist. 9, has filed a lawsuit against S.C. House Dist. 9 Representative-Elect Blake Sanders, R-Anderson, and two others alleging slander and libel during the election cycle.
“This is a frivolous lawsuit that will play out in the courts in the coming months,” said Sanders’ attorney and former S.C. Rep. West Cox. “Since this is pending legal action, that is our only comment at this time.”
The lawsuit against Sanders involves campaign literature which referenced a newspaper article from The State newspaper.
In May, The State Newspaper reported that Erskine College was suing Icelaven Development Group for “for breach of contract in hopes of recouping the loan, plus interest” concerning a $1 million loan for the Charter Institute at Erskine, which oversees more than two dozen charter schools.
According to The State: “Icelaven is the parent company of Reason & Republic, a for-profit charter school management organization founded by James Galyean that, until recently, operated three charter schools authorized by the Charter Institute.”
The other two suits against Matt Floyd and John McClain also allege slander/libel according to court records.
The Anderson Observer has reached out to Galyean for comment and will update this story if/when he responds.