[DiscoverMB]

Lawyers for Brant Branham, Board Chairman for the Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce and Shep" Guyton held a press conference on Friday saying they sent a letter to organizers at BOOST on Friday to halt their claims about a series of donations made to incumbent's seeking re-election in the November 3 elections.

Four Myrtle Beach City Council incumbents, along with a handful of state representatives each received 24 campaign contribution checks, all from LLCs that BOOST questions whether the donations are legal and want all donations to be made completely transparent.

Questions were raises last week when BOOST provided a story to several websites, including DMB and iBiker.org, questioning the contributions. BOOST then came out to say they provided the article and they did not come forward at first because the message was more important.

Branham says he was responsible for raising the money from 'like-minded business men and women' and as a private businessman, he has every right to do so.

Guyton is the registered Agent for several of the businesses BOOST is questioning.

Earlier this past week, State Senator Ray Cleary came forward and spoke to WMBF News saying he received the money from Branham in a lunch meeting between Branham, himself and Chamber President Brad Dean. Branham says that Dean's presence at the meeting had nothing to do with the contributions. Cleary said he had no reason top doubt Branham but if there was any issue with where the donations came from we would give the money back.

Shortly thereafter, Mark Lazarus who is the owner of one of the businesses in question (Creek View Land Partners LLC), came forward telling a news organization that he was the owner of one of the businesses and had no idea where the money came from and didn't authorize the business' agent, Shep Guyton to donate the money.

Incumbents, Mayor John Rhodes, Councilman Wayne Gray, Councilman Chuck Martino and Councilman Randal Wallace have all come out to say they would return the money if the donations were illegal.

Under the law, businesses are allowed to donate up to $1,000 to local candidates and $3,500 to state candidates.

BOOST previously stated that the donations may be legal, but questions where the money is coming from. BOOST says that one of the businesses has been closed since 2007. So how can they donate money to the candidates?

At yesterday's press conference, a partner in Creek View Land Partners, Gene Miller, said he put the money in the account with the intent of making the political donations.

The attorney for Branham and Guyton, Karl Bowers, says BOOST's claims "have been irresponsible and sad." Bowers further says that the allegations have been phrased, as rhetorical questions and is a cute attempt to escape liability.

BOOST president, Robert Kelly, says they received an email of the letter and have turned it over to their attorneys.