An investigation into the explosive claims of sexual assault made by Rep. Nancy Mace against her former fiancé has been active and ongoing for more than a year, South Carolina state police confirmed.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division launched its probe into the congresswoman’s former beau, Patrick Byrant, on Dec. 14, 2023, on allegations of assault, harassment and voyeurism after being contacted by US Capitol Police, the agency said.
“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 agency said in a statement to The Post.
“This active and ongoing investigation is complex and has involved multiple lawyers. Once the investigation is completed, it will be sent to a prosecutor for review,” SLED added.
The Palmetto State Republican, 47, accused Bryant and three business partners of committing rape and other sexual crimes against herself and a dozen other women and underage girls – allegations her ex has since denied.
The congresswoman claimed she found a trove of more than 10,000 videos and other photographic evidence contained on the phone of her former husband-to-be in November 2023 – evidence she did not present during her speech on Monday in the House of Representatives.
“I accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable – we are talking about rape, nonconsensual photos, nonconsensual videos of women and underage girls, and the premediated, calculated exploitation of women and girls in my district,” Mace said.
“Today you will hear about the depraved men behind these gutless, evil acts. These men didn’t just harm their victims; they recorded their depravity as if it were a badge of honor.”
The digital files include explicit covert shots of female employees, wives of male employees and other women, along with upskirting photos of the underage daughter of a business associate, Mace claimed.
She told lawmakers she had to inform one woman that she’d unknowingly been raped after finding a video of Bryant and one of his business associates allegedly recording another business associate sexually assaulting an “incapacitated” woman.
“She had no idea because she was incapacitated at the time of the rape. I knew she was raped because I accidentally found the video of her being raped,” Mace said.
“The two of them, the three of them business partners — the two of them had their phones out just like this. Filming her as she was being raped. And she was completely laid out. There was no movement. There was no life. I couldn’t even tell if this young woman was alive.”
Mace also recounted the horrifying moment she found a video of herself “undressed” and “unaware she was being filmed” on her former fiancé’s phone – a discovery she claims led to Bryant physically assaulting her.
She said she was forced out of her home and “into hiding” the following month, moving in with friends and changing addresses at least four times in a single year.
“I still have the mark Patrick Bryant made on me. Rather than see this mark as a scar, I see this scar as the mark of a free woman; free from a monster,” Mace said, adding that she was subsequently diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.
“This isn’t a story about bitter ex-girlfriends… or consensual sex tapes, there are plenty of those. I don’t care what two consenting adults agree to do,” the congresswoman added. “That is the definition of freedom. This is a story about predators who hunt women for sport.”
Mace also alleged that one of Bryant’s business associates “tried to intimidate” her from bringing the evidence to light – while slamming South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson for deliberately stalling the investigation and failing to protect female victims.
“If anyone would like to arrest me for standing up for women — here are my wrists. Arrest me. Take me to jail,” she threatened.
“I am 100% guilty for turning over evidence of peeping Toms, or turning over evidence of rape, of turning over evidence of voyeurism, of turning over evidence of sex trafficking and who knows, probably a whole heck of a lot more and more crimes I don’t have time to get into tonight.”
Mace then said Wilson was “not a real man” because “real men protect women.”
Wilson’s office refuted Mace’s statements regarding the conduct and role of the attorney general as “categorically false” and “politically motivated,” adding she has not personally contacted him about her concerns or spoken with him at the multiple events they’ve attended together “over the last six months.”
“Ms. Mace either does not understand or is purposefully mischaracterizing the role of the Attorney General,” read a statement from the South Carolina AG’s office.
“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 AG’s office said it is up to local law enforcement agencies to investigate potential evidence of crime.
Bryant has also “categorically” denied the allegations levied against him.
“I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” Bryant said in a statement to the New York Times.
If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
