S.C. Code Ann. § 8-13-725 – Use or disclosure of confidential information by public official, member, or employee for financial gain; examination of private records; penalties

(A) A public official, public member, or public employee may not use or disclose confidential information gained in the course of or by reason of his official responsibilities in a way that would affect an economic interest held by him, a member of his immediate family, an individual with whom he is associated, or a business with which he is associated.
(B)
1. (1) A public official, public member, or public employee may not wilfully examine, or aid and abet in the wilful examination of, a tax return of a taxpayer, a worker's compensation record, a record in connection with health or medical treatment, social services records, or other records of an individual in the possession of or within the access of a public department or agency if the purpose of the examination is improper or unlawful.
2. (2) A person convicted of violating this subsection must be fined not more than five thousand dollars, or imprisoned not more than five years, or both, and shall reimburse the costs of prosecution. Upon conviction, the person also must be discharged immediately from his public capacity as an official, member, or employee.
  ETHICS COMMISSION OPINIONS
  1. In General
  Employee of Public Service Commission may do off-duty work with regulated freight mover, since her position does not create conflict; however, she is required to file Statement of Economic Interests. Public employee may engage in outside employment consistent with established guidelines that no public materials or equipment be utilized, with some exceptions; that such work be engaged in on employee's own time; that work does not interfere with needs of agency; and that public position is not utilized to obtain or continue employment. Op S.C. St. Ethics Comm., SEC AO92-093, Feb 26, 1992.