At age 72, John Hardee seems an unlikely bad boy. But the former Transportation Commissioner seems to be unable to stay out of trouble.

State officials plan to rename the John Hardee Expressway at Columbia Metro Airport after he pleaded guilty to obstructing a federal probe and soliciting an online prostitute for $40.

Critics question how:

• State Sen. Hugh Leather-man’s son-in-law was given a slap on the wrist for taking bribes he says he did nothing to earn. Is that how our judges – appointed by powerful state lawmakers – know they need to treat senator’s relatives?

• Hardee served as a commissioner for 14 of the last 20 years in violation of state law.

Is this how influential lawmakers keep their relatives on the taxpayers’ payroll?

In 1991, the US Supreme Court ruled that public officials couldn’t be convicted of taking bribes unless they “are made in return for an explicit promise or undertaking ... to perform or not perform an official act” under anti-extortion laws.

The 1991 ruling came in Operation Lost Trust, the FBI sting that sent a Lexington County lawmaker and other lobbyists and state officials to prison.

In responding to Lost Trust, lawmakers passed our 1st real ethics law to require them to report “gifts” they receive from people seeking favors.

Hardee, a quiet and inoffensive official, used his influence to persuade fellow commissioners to approve costly projects in his father-in-law’s Florence district. Those commissioners weren’t blind. They knew who Hardee was related to.

Commissioners are elected by lawmakers in their Congressional districts. They are to bring home as many projects as possible, whether needed or not.

When a bill to let commissioners serve 2 terms failed, local lawmakers appointed Hardee to 2 more terms anyway.

Is anyone surprised by any of this? It’s the way our politicians play the game, right or not.

No wonder we have so many crumbling roads and bridges.

– Jerry Bellune