Beaufort County Council Transfers Investigation to Sheriff Amid Controversy and Calls for Transparency

Beaufort County Council Hands Investigation to Sheriff Amid Controversy

Beaufort County, S.C., has found itself in the center of a whirlwind discussion recently, as the County Council made a significant decision to pass on an ongoing investigation regarding some financial issues in local government to the Beaufort County Sheriff. After months of back-and-forth debates and differing opinions, it seems that clarity might finally be on the horizon. However, the situation remains tangled with questions that have yet to be answered.

A Call for Transparency

The 14th Circuit Solicitor, Duffie Stone, has been vocal about the situation, stating, “I have five County Councils that I work with regularly because I have five counties as the Solicitor.” Since starting his role in 2006, he noted that he has never encountered a scenario quite like this at any other council. Concerned about the ethics at play, Stone remarked, “You cooperate with law enforcement, and you get out of the way. You don’t start your own internal investigation.”

Initially, the County Council hesitated to involve Sheriff PJ Tanner, believing the suspected violations didn’t escalate to a criminal nature. This decision drew criticism, with Stone emphasizing the importance of collaboration: “The idea that the Sheriff has to even write you a letter to ask you is offensive,” he stated, highlighting the unusual dynamics in play.

Turning Point in the Investigation

Just last week, in a surprising turn of events, the County Council voted to hand over all relevant documents to the Sheriff’s department. “The only thing that Beaufort County did was to vote to cooperate with the law enforcement investigation,” Stone clarified. He expressed that many residents could feel uneasy or even offended that the Council debated whether to cooperate at all.

With the documents now in the Sheriff’s hands, and the case handed over to the South Carolina Attorney General’s office, there’s an air of anticipation. Stone pointedly asks, “Why wouldn’t you want the answers to those questions?” Whether the outcome reveals mere mistakes that can be remedied or something more severe remains a critical concern.

A Deeper Investigation?

Stone further elaborated on the timeline of events, explaining that he actually reached out to the Attorney General in November 2023, not July as previously stated. In the context of these pressing matters, he stressed the urgency of wanting to compel testimony from certain county employees who seemed less than forthcoming. “I wanted him to empanel a grand jury to compel testimony,” said Stone. His words suggest a deeply-rooted concern that transparency has been lacking among key individuals in the County.

What’s Next?

Despite the ongoing discussions about the nature of the inquiry, Stone stated, “I have no exact opinion on if criminal activity happened.” That determination ultimately rests with the Grand Jury. There’s no clear timeline for when the investigation will be concluded, leaving residents with both questions and curiosity about the unfolding situation.

In a nutshell, while Beaufort County is working through its financial challenges, many eyes are watching closely to see how this will impact governance in the region moving forward. As residents await answers, the importance of cooperation and transparency remains critical for restoring public confidence in local government.