Nancy Mace's ex-fiancé, two others charged Wednesday over alleged 2018 assault
South Carolina has charged three men named by Representative Nancy Mace in a House speech, including her former fiancé Patrick Bryant, CNN and the New York Post reported. John Douglas Osborne faces sexual conduct and assault charges over an alleged 2018 attack on a woman. Bryant and Eric Bernard Bowman face voyeurism charges.
Three men whom Representative Nancy Mace accused in a February 2025 House floor speech were charged Wednesday, including her former fiancé Patrick Bryant, CNN and the New York Post reported.
John Douglas Osborne was charged with first-degree assault and battery and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, CNN and the New York Post reported. Bryant and Eric Bernard Bowman were charged with voyeurism, the outlets reported. Bowman was also charged with obstruction of justice and with publishing the name of a victim of criminal sexual conduct, CNN reported, citing the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.
Court documents allege that in October 2018, Osborne sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman who had passed out after drinking, while Bryant and Bowman watched, CNN reported. The alleged assault took place at a house on Sullivan's Island, South Carolina, according to court documents cited by CNN. A witness watching a home security feed saw the incident and wrote about it, CNN and the Post reported.
All three men have posted bond and been released, CNN reported, citing Osborne's attorney. Bryant "adamantly denies" the allegations, his attorney said, according to CNN. Osborne "is innocent of the charges brought against him and intends to defend himself vigorously," his attorneys said in a statement, CNN reported. Bowman's attorneys did not immediately respond to CNN, and Bowman previously said "no wrongdoing has been committed," CNN reported.
In her speech, Mace accused Bryant and three other men of recording sex acts without consent, CNN reported. A fourth man she named has not been charged and has denied wrongdoing, CNN reported. Bryant later sued Mace for defamation, and Mace has claimed protection under the Constitution's Speech or Debate Clause, the Post reported.
"I know this is only the first step toward these men taking accountability for what they did to me but it is a very significant step," the woman said in a statement read in court, according to CNN. The case will be prosecuted by the 9th Circuit Solicitor's Office, CNN reported.
What we know: Three men Mace named have been charged, and all three deny wrongdoing or have not responded.
What we don't: When the case will go to trial, and whether more charges will follow.
Where outlets agree CNN and the New York Post report that Osborne faces assault and criminal sexual conduct charges and that Bryant and Bowman face voyeurism charges.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.