Beaufort County Audit Report Raises Questions Amidst Calls for Transparency

Beaufort County Audit Report Sparks Ongoing Controversy

Beaufort County is currently embroiled in a cloud of uncertainty and questions surrounding its long-awaited audit report, a document that promises to shed light on public spending and contracts. This report was initially produced following serious allegations of “malfeasance” related to the former County Administrator, Eric Greenway. However, taxpayers are feeling left in the dark, as its contents remain officially under wraps.

Delayed and Disappointed

Sheriff P.J. Tanner confirmed that he personally received the report in August, after making repeated requests. While he had every intention of sharing it with the public to ensure transparency, legal restrictions have prevented him from doing so. “We’ve been asked not to have any discussions about the content,” Tanner explained on Thursday, indicating his frustration regarding the circumstances. He wanted the public to know about how their tax dollars were being spent, but now he’s stuck waiting for a grand jury to complete its work before any details can be disclosed.

A Public Outcry for Transparency

The Beaufort County Council had voted unanimously in August to release the report, but it wasn’t that simple. Sheriff Tanner’s initial requests were blocked, adding to the growing frustration among community members eager for answers. “The public funds spent on an outside legal firm to produce the report would have been better used had it been made available to police months earlier,” Tanner argued, emphasizing the importance of fiscal accountability.

The audit was conducted by the law firm Haynsworth Sinkler Boyd and focused on various financial matters, including county contracts and purchases. An initial six-page executive summary stated, “there was no evidence of criminal activity,” a finding that Tanner questioned. He believes that a law firm specializing in municipal and civil litigation may not have been the best choice for determining whether wrongdoing occurred.

Legal Limbo

Once the report made its way to the South Carolina Attorney General’s Office for review, Tanner and the 14th Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone found themselves facing more obstacles. The Attorney General instructed them not to share details or answer any questions concerning the report’s findings. Tanner acknowledged their frustration but made it clear that the confidentiality request must be respected.

As Tanner’s office diligently continues its work to provide relevant documents and information regarding the investigation, the public remains in a holding pattern, waiting for clarity. An uncertain timeline looms over the grand jury proceedings, leaving many wondering when they might finally receive the answers they seek.

Ethics Complaints Keep Piling Up

The audit report is just one piece of a larger puzzle as Beaufort County grapples with a slew of controversies surrounding its officials. Over the past two years, county leaders have been waiting with bated breath for decisions from the state’s ethics commission regarding accusations against the former administrative team.

Recently, the former Parks and Recreation Director, Shannon Loper, found herself in hot water, receiving fines due to multiple ethics violations. Loper’s case is merely one of several ethics complaints swirling around the county, including issues involving former County Attorney Brittany Ward, who resigned amid scrutiny over a land sale that benefited her family.

Ward’s departure came on the heels of other significant departures in the county leadership, including the controversial tenure of former County Attorney Thomas Keaveny. His management faced backlash related to hiring practices and public comment restrictions.

Future Outlook

Currently, Ethics commission rulings on nine formal complaints against various county officials are pending, including three against former Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper, two against former Administrator Eric Greenway, and others involving Deputy Administrator Whitney Richland and Special Assistant to the County Administrator Hank Amundson. Sadly, the wait for the findings continues as Beaufort County residents yearn for the transparency they deserve.

As frustrations mount and questions hang in the air, one thing remains crystal clear: Beaufort County’s quest for clarity, accountability, and trust demands answers, and citizens are eager for an insight into the way their hard-earned tax dollars are really being managed.