South Carolina Grand Jury Subpoenas Beaufort County Over Financial Misconduct Allegations

Four state grand jury subpoenas have been served to Beaufort County, South Carolina, as part of an ongoing investigation into potential contract, purchasing, and procurement transgressions. The county’s spokesperson, Hannah Nichols, has verified that the county is cooperating fully with the injunctions.

Documents Demanded

The requested documents pertain to expense accounts of county employees, spending under the tenure of ex-County Administrator Eric Greenway, and a construction project at an inclusive playground in Port Royal. The county’s administration stated it would cooperate fully and avail all the requested documents.

Audit Reveals Violations

Audit inquiries conducted by the Greenville-based law firm Haynesworth Sinkler Boyd indicated that “flagrant violations” of the county’s procurement code occurred during Greenway’s term. Although the audit was accomplished in early Spring 2024, law enforcement, members of the public, and the news media only received the results on August 26.

Costly Noncompliant Park Construction

Particular attention has been given to Bruce Edgerly Park in Port Royal. The park’s equipment was purchased and installed without council’s approval, which contradicts Beaufort County’s procurement code. Moreover, the park’s bathrooms were constructed at a hefty price tag of nearly $350,000 by Nix Construction, the sole bidder for the project. This brings the total cost of the project to over $1 million.

Request for Grand Jury Investigation

The 14th Circuit Solicitor, Duffie Stone, appealed to Attorney General Alan Wilson in November 2023 to arrange a grand jury. This came after a Beaufort County employee declined to speak with a South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) agent following a discussion with a county-employed attorney.

In a recent interview, Stone indicated that he urged the initiation of a grand jury as it possesses investigative capabilities that surpass his own, such as compelling testimony and ordering documents related to the case. He hopes for a reform in the S.C. General Assembly that will empower local solicitors to summon testimony and subpoena documents effectively in the face of public corruption.

County Council Cooperates

In response to the subpoenas, Beaufort County Council members voted to forfeit their attorney-client privilege and submitted the report to law enforcement on August 26 for review. Stone expressed his astonishment that the council had to deliberate whether to cooperate with an ongoing inquiry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Beaufort County faces serious scrutiny following allegations of financial and contractual misconduct. As subpoenas get enforced and official reports get examined, it is clear that the grand jury will be instrumental in unfolding this case. Future actions by the county council, law enforcement, and the grand jury will be pivotal to restoring trust in public administration.