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Rep. Wendell Gilliard Calls on Authorities to Investigate State House Candidate’s Alleged Extremist Ties

Published

2 years ago

November 2, 2022

State Representative Wendell Gilliard (D-Charleston) on Tuesday said he sent letters to Charleston County Sheriff Kristin Graziano and S.L.E.D Chief Mark Keel after he says he learned State House candidate Matt Leber (right) has “direct ties to the Three Percenters, a right-wing militia group.” Leber is the Republican nominee for S.C. House District 116, which includes portions of Charleston and Colleton Counties.

On Twitter, Leber denied the accusations, calling them “all ridiculous lies” and claimed the allegations had been an “incredible boost” and his fundraising had “exploded overnight” thanks to “the lies of the left.” Leber, who has said his opponent, incumbent Chardale Murray, refuses to debate him, also said he would “clear the air” if she agreed to a debate.

The Southern Poverty Law Center describes the Three Percenters as, “a vanguard extremist movement that claims to be ready to carry out armed resistance to perceived tyranny.” The Three Percenters leadership dissolved in response to the 2021 United States Capitol attack, but some independent local groups still exist. In June 2021, six men associated with the group were indicted for conspiracy, and Canada declared the group a terrorist entity.

Rep. Gilliard’s accusation stems from YouTube videos and old news articles apparently linking Leber to the group. Here is what Rep. Gilliard’s letter said:

“It has come to my attention that a candidate for public office in South Carolina is a member of an extremist antigovernment militia movement, the ‘American Patriots III%,’ more commonly known as ‘Three Percenters.’

As you know, domestic terror activity is on the rise. The threats posed by extremists are growing and must be addressed by law enforcement. This is why I have sponsored legislation to establish a hate crime law in South Carolina, which would provide penalty enhancements for those convicted of violent hate crimes.

According to the Anti-Defamation League, ‘Three Percenters have a track record of criminal activity ranging from weapons violations to terrorist plots and attacks.’ This includes involvement in the January 6th attack on the United States Capitol, the conspiracy to kidnap Michigan’s governor, and a number of other dangerous incidents aimed at resisting or overthrowing the American government.

Matthew Leber, a candidate for South Carolina House District 116, appears to be a Three Percenter. In one video posted by the group, he was questioned by United States Secret Service for his actions in 2016. In media reports, he was cited as a spokesman for the group in conjunction with unauthorized paramilitary patrols of the United States border with Mexico. At this point, we do not know the full extent of his involvement with the Three Percenters or any other antigovernment groups.

The fact that credible allegations of ties to a domestic terrorist movement have been leveled at a candidate for public office poses a unique threat to the State of South Carolina. Given the extraordinary nature of this information, I ask that the State Law Enforcement Division and the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office investigate this individual, the Three Percenters, and any related extremist activity in South Carolina.”

A YouTube channel called “American Patriot III,” with a bio that reads “American Patriot the III%,” posted four different videos with Leber in 2016, showing him being questioned by the U.S. Secret Service, shouting down Hillary Clinton at a campaign event in North Charleston, spouting conspiracies about Clinton and Benghazi to a group outside of that event, a Fox News clip of Leber yelling at Clinton, and others. You can see the clips here.

Back in 2014, Breitbart called Leber a spokesman for the group, My San Antonio said he identified himself as “a member of American Patriots the III%,” and WTOC said he was part of the SC Chapter of the American Patriots 3%. A website, dontvoteleber.com, which was paid for by SC House Democratic Caucus, has been shared online and includes these accusations.

South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Trav Robertson released the following statement regarding these clips:

“I am simply astonished at the hate flowing from Matt Leber’s heart. How can someone from South Carolina hate people so much that he has taken up arms against our own government? This radical right wing paramilitary group wants to destroy freedom and democracy. They tried to kill the Vice President on January 6th. Don’t take my word for it — listen and read his words.

Nancy Mace, Ellen Weaver, and Henry McMaster campaigned for this guy earlier this month. Do they condone the attempt to overthrow the government? With the military installations in South Carolina, it is too dangerous to support an armed overthrow of the government.”