From WIS TV, June 14th 2007:

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WIS) - "No contest." That's what Myrtle Beach lawmaker Thad Viers plead in court Thursday to accusations he threatened to beat up the man dating his estranged wife.

He's usually seen inside the State House making laws, but Thursday representative Thad Viers was in court, accused of breaking one.

"Do you feel as if the state of South Carolina would prove that you are guilty beyond a reasonable doubt if this case went to trial?" asked the judge.

"Yes, sir," replied Viers in court.

Viers appeared in court Thursday, admitting to accusations that he called and threatened to beat up his estranged wife's lover, James Ziegler.

The Myrtle Beach legislator who is being represented by fellow house member Todd Rutherford pleaded no contest to misdemeanor unlawful communication. His fine is $500.

Prosecutor Todd Wagoner recalls the nature of the phone calls he says Ziegler received back in September.

"The phone calls continued. They continued to get more sexually explicit mentioning sex acts, threatened on Mr. Ziegler and on Mr. Ziegler's mother," said Wagoner.

Wagoner says the threats were so severe that Ziegler felt he had to sleep with a shotgun for protection.

"He was in fear, so I'm pleased he has some closure," Wagoner told News 10.

Wagoner believes Viers was under the influence of alcohol during the time the calls were made, but Rutherford says his client was under the influence of love and never meant Ziegler any harm.

"The alleged victim in this case is someone who slept with my client's wife. He has gotten her pregnant and then used the legal system to bash my client in the head," said Rutherford.

Rep. Viers attorney says at this point his client is continuing on with his divorce and has no plans of reconciling with his wife. As for both parties, they say they're glad to have this behind them and are looking forward to moving on.

Reported by Trey Paul