SC high court blocks ruling during Harrell appeal

South Carolina's high court has blocked a judge's dismissal of an investigation into one of the state's top lawmakers while prosecutors appeal.

The state Supreme Court said Thursday it would block the ruling by Circuit Judge Casey Manning earlier this month.

The new order allows prosecutors to continue their investigation into corruption allegations against House Speaker Bobby Harrell. Manning had said Attorney General Alan Wilson improperly empaneled a State Grand Jury in the case.

Manning said courts cannot consider such a case against a lawmaker until a legislative ethics panel has reviewed it. Harrell's attorneys agree, but Wilson says the ruling infringes on his role as the state's top prosecutor.

Wilson is appealing that decision. Both sides are to make their case before the Supreme Court on June 24.