Clyburn used taxpayer dollars to help family

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. --- South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn has earmarked millions of taxpayer dollars this decade for projects that could directly benefit his friends and family members, a newspaper reported Sunday.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach found that Mr. Clyburn has set aside at least $6.2 million for such projects. That includes money for two projects his nephew was to help design, a community center that runs a program employing his sister-in-law and a Columbia wellness center that employs his daughter.

Mr. Clyburn is the House majority whip and was the sole sponsor for 32 earmarks totaling $38.8 million in the current budget.

In contrast, all of South Carolina's other lawmakers combined to sole-sponsor $45.5 million in earmarks in that budget.

Mr. Clyburn's office did not return calls seeking comment, though he has repeatedly defended the earmark process, telling reporters last year that the special provisions help provide for community needs.

"I don't see that as wasteful government spending," he told reporters in February 2007. "I see that as responding to the needs these people said they had."