The South Carolina state police are investigating the bombshell rape allegations made during a speech by Republican congresswoman Nancy Mace on the House floor Monday night.
Mace accused four men (including her ex-fiancé) of rape, sex trafficking and other sex crimes. Mace gave what she called a "scorched Earth" speech on the issue to "call out the cowards who think they can prey on women and get away with it."
In the speech, she criticized the South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson and said authorities had ignored her allegations of rape. However, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have now confirmed that there has been an ongoing investigation into the allegations that dates back to December 2023.
"SLED opened an investigation regarding allegations of assault, harassment, and voyeurism on Dec. 14, 2023, after being contacted by the United States Capitol Police," SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich said in a statement to WCSC-5. "Since that date SLED has conducted multiple interviews, served multiple search warrants, and has a well-documented case file that will be available for release upon the conclusion of the case."
The station reported that the state police confirmed that Patrick Bryant, whom Mace identified as her former fiancé, is the subject of the investigation.
After Mace's speech on Monday, Bryant told NBC News that Mace's claims were false. "I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name."
The state police told WCSC-5 that once they complete their investigation, they will turn over the information to a prosecutor for review.
Mace said in her speech Monday that Bryant gave her access to his phone in late 2023, where she saw videos of "incapacitated" women being raped, and that she was one of them. "I turned up the volume to hear if there was audio. I heard my voice. I zoomed in on the video. And that woman was me," Mace said during a passage of her speech. "My entire body was paralyzed, and I couldn't move. Were my feet on the floor? Was I breathing? I have no idea."
Wilson and Mace both are seen as potential gubernatorial nominees for the Republican Party in 2026.
"Recent statements made by Congresswoman Nancy Mace regarding the conduct of the South Carolina Attorney General are categorically false," a statement from Wilson's office reads.
"Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General. At this time, our office has not received any reports or requests for assistance from any law enforcement or prosecution agencies regarding these matters. Additionally, the Attorney General and members of his office have had no role and no knowledge of these allegations until her public statements," the statement reads.
