Gov. Henry McMaster last December quietly hired a large law firm for $105,000.

The Adams and Reese law firm is to lobby the federal government under an “emergency procurement” contract that will cost taxpayers $15,000 a month.

The law firm has 18 offices in the South and in Washington. It also lobbies SC agencies for multiple corporate and private clients.

McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes said the governor hired the firm to help gain $1.2 billion in federal disaster aid after Hurricane Florence last year.

Under the contract, the firm can work on “any other special projects directed by the client” including preparing the state in “any and all congressional or federal issues that might arise.”

Symmes didn’t respond about specific work done about hurricane relief.

Congressman Tom Rice said that in 10 days after Hurricane Florence, the SC and NC congressional delegations “were able to successfully appropriate $1.68 billion” for recovery needs.

Hurricane Florence hit Sept. 12. The governor waited until December to hire the law firm to lobby.

Asked if McMaster faced any conflicts of interest, Symmes replied that to “even suggest that Gov. Mc-Master’s decision-making would be affected by having worked with Adams and Reese is completely absurd.”

Under the contract, the firm will be paid a $15,000 monthly fee – totaling $105,000 this year through July – plus expenses.

Brundrett is the news editor of The Nerve. Contact him at 803-254-4411 or rick@the-nerve.org .