SCANA executive to serve 15 months at home instead of prison

COLUMBIA: So, here’s the scoop. A former bigwig at SCANA, Stephen Byrne, just got a break. Instead of heading to prison for 15 months, he’ll be chilling at home. This all comes after a judge decided to lighten his sentence for his part in a nuclear project that went belly up, costing folks in South Carolina a ton of cash.

Byrne was the COO when things went south. He pleaded guilty a while back for lying to state regulators about the project’s status. He knew it was delayed and over budget but still said it was on track. Not cool, right?

Initially, he was supposed to serve time, but he never did. Prosecutors were gearing up to use his testimony against others involved, but he ended up not testifying at all. Now, he’ll be on home detention, which means he can only leave for work, church, or doctor’s appointments.

He’s also got to cough up a hefty fine and restitution totaling $1.2 million. The judge mentioned that his cooperation with the investigation played a big role in the decision to keep him out of prison. He helped out a lot, sitting for interviews and taking notes that sped up the investigation.

While other executives involved are facing their own consequences, Byrne’s actions led to a massive financial hit for ratepayers. The judge pointed out that his deceit allowed the project to keep going, ultimately leading to billions in losses.

In the end, it’s a mixed bag. He’s getting a break, but it’s a reminder of the serious fallout from corporate misdeeds. And folks in South Carolina are still feeling the pinch from that failed project.