South Carolina GOP Representative Nancy Mace’s ex-fiancé and two of his business associates were charged Wednesday in connection with the reported sexual assault of a 23-year-old woman in 2018.
Patrick Bryant, a software entrepreneur, was charged with voyeurism, which involves secretly watching or recording people without their consent while they are undressing, naked, or engaged in private or sexual acts.
The alleged assault occurred on October 26, 2018, on Sullivan’s Island, years before Bryant and Mace became engaged.
His business associate John Douglas Osborne was charged with first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. Eric Bernard Bowman was charged with voyeurism, obstruction of justice, and publishing the name of a victim of criminal sexual conduct. All three men posted bond and were released Wednesday from the Sheriff Al Cannon Detention Center in Charleston County.
According to an arrest affidavit, in October 2018, the woman became intoxicated and fell into a pool. She later removed her wet clothes and passed out on a couch, covering herself with a pillow.
An affidavit alleges that Osborne, Bryant, and Bowman gathered around the woman and discussed sexual acts before agreeing that Osborne would have sex with her despite her incapacitation. Osborne allegedly performed sex acts on her while Bryant and Bowman watched. The affidavit also alleges that Bryant and Bowman photographed and recorded the assault.
A witness monitoring the security footage reportedly saw the incident and wrote a detailed account of what occurred. Osborne’s attorney said his client was “innocent of the charges brought against him and intends to defend himself vigorously.”
Mace publicly accused her ex-fiancé, his two business associates, and another man of sexual misconduct during a roughly 50-minute speech on the House floor in February 2025. The episode underlying Wednesday’s charges was among those she described.
Displaying photographs of the men, Mace described how she “accidentally uncovered some of the most heinous crimes against women imaginable,” including “non-consensual photos, non-consensual videos of women and underage girls.”
Mace also alleged that Bryant “physically assaulted” her near the end of their relationship and filmed her naked without her consent. Bryant denied those accusations at the time.
“I categorically deny these allegations. I take this matter seriously and will cooperate fully with any necessary legal processes to clear my name,” he said.
Mace delivered the speech after the House had finished voting and most lawmakers had left. Her mother, three Republican representatives, and other supporters attended.
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