Allegations Surround Beaufort County Land Deal as Transparency Demands Rise

Allegations and Transparency: Beaufort County’s Land Deal Under Scrutiny

Beaufort, South Carolina – The air has been thick with controversy lately as the Beaufort County Council navigates allegations surrounding their County Attorney, Brittany Ward. A recent independent legal review has brought to light some intriguing findings about Ward’s role in a land sale involving her parents.

A Breakdown of the Findings

Conducted by Ashley Story of White & Story, LLC out of Columbia, the review examined claims about Ward’s involvement in the sale of a piece of property located at 20 Barrel Landing Road. The property was bought by her parents, Michael and Julienne Orr, in late 2021 for $290,000. Fast forward to February 2024, and the county purchased the same parcel through its Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program for an appraised value of $434,000. That’s a healthy $144,000 profit for the Orrs, which understandably raised eyebrows among the public.

Although the review concluded that Ward met the county’s ethics policy requirements, it noted an essential snag — her familial connection to the property wasn’t disclosed to all members of the county council. This detail has left many residents questioning whether everything was above board and if there were any potential conflicts of interest.

Community Concerns Spike

The timeline of events around the sale has caught the attention of many concerned residents. On October 15 and 16, just days before the renowned legal review was released, citizens sent in complaints questioning the ethics and legality of the situation. This outcry triggered a wave of discussions about transparency within the county’s governance.

After the complaints were filed, it was also discovered that Brittany Ward had submitted her resignation letter to county department heads on October 22, with her last day set for December 2, 2024. According to county spokesperson Hannah Nichols, Ward had alerted her intentions to step down well before the public allegations came to light. However, this letter was notably missing from earlier documents provided in response to a FOIA request, causing even more questions about communications within the county administration.

Insider Information or Just Miscommunication?

Story’s investigation unveiled layers of information, including interviews with county employees, two council members, and other individuals not working for the county. It is interesting to note that Story had not been previously engaged by the county, lending more credence to her impartial investigation.

While the review concluded that Ward recused herself from decisions and discussions about the property, it also highlighted that not all council members were aware of her familial ties. The Community Services and Land Use Committee, however, had been informed of the connection.

Moving Forward

In a special meeting held on November 18, the county council faced the music head-on by reviewing the findings of the legal review. After an executive session, Council Chairman Joe Passiment sought a recommendation from County Administrator Michael Moore, who advised waiving attorney-client privilege for the report’s public release. The council unanimously approved this motion, emphasizing the importance of transparency in government dealings.

The report has also prompted proposed changes to the county’s ethics policy, calling for more stringent requirements regarding disclosures of conflicts of interest, mandatory ethics training, and a more streamlined organizational structure for legal roles within the county. These recommendations aim to ensure that citizens feel they have a transparent and accountable local government.

Conclusion: Topsy-Turvy Times Ahead

As Beaufort County continues to grapple with these complex issues surrounding land deals and ethics, one thing remains clear: transparency must take center stage. With Brittany Ward’s resignation looming, residents are curious about who will fill her shoes and how the county will bounce back from this storm. Will these changes lead to a more open administration? Only time will tell.