Beaufort Faces Ethics Concerns as Former Parks Director Cited for Violations
BY THE ISLAND NEWS
BEAUFORT, SC – In a twist of events that’s stirred the pot in our cozy little town, former Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper has found herself at the center of ethical scrutiny. While her expected hearing with the South Carolina State Ethics Commission didn’t take place back in October, the Commission has dropped a couple of hefty citations on her doorstep that could carry some serious fines.
Let’s break it down: three separate complaints were filed regarding Loper’s actions while she was at the helm of the Parks and Recreation Department. It looks like ethics might not have been high on the agenda when she made some controversial decisions.
The first complaint, filed in October 2023, raised eyebrows when it was revealed that Loper had reportedly paid her own sons—yes, you heard that right—nearly $7,000 for various roles, including coaching cheer camp and officiating sports as independent contractors. While Loper defended her actions, saying that she faced a shortage of qualified candidates for these gigs, the ethics commission found her in violation of South Carolina laws that prohibit public employees from making decisions that could financially benefit family members.
In her own defense, Loper claims to have sought permission from higher-ups, including the former County Administrator Eric Greenway and the county’s legal team, who allegedly gave her the green light because of staffing needs. However, that didn’t save her from getting slapped with a public reprimand from the ethics commission, which cited five counts of ethics violations. On top of that, she has been burdened with a couple of fines: $1,000 for the penalties and another $500 as an administrative fee.
The drama didn’t stop there. A second complaint surfaced in May 2024, bringing to light even more alleged ethical lapses. Reports claim that during a work conference in Phoenix in 2022, Loper spent county funds on personal expenses. Specifically, she allegedly rented a house and a van using a county-issued P-card for herself and four other employees. Now, what’s a little vacation without some fun, right? Not so fast! While the van was used for a mix of conference-related activities and sightseeing—including a rodeo—the group apparently shared the costs, keeping the county’s expenses in check.
Surprisingly, the commission found no direct misuse of county funds during this escapade. They noted that renting the house actually saved the county buckaroos— $2,500 for a cozy rental instead of nearly $4,300 for individual hotel bookings. But, as fate would have it, Loper did make a small misstep by authorizing her own reimbursement for daily expenses—a subtle move that potentially crossed the ethics line. Thankfully for her, the commission chose to overlook extra penalties, probably thinking this saga had gone on long enough.
While Loper’s situation has gotten most of the public’s attention, she isn’t the only one in the hot seat. As it stands, at least nine other complaints have been lodged against Beaufort County employees for unethical behavior, creating quite a buzz around town. Complaints have also been filed against former County Administrator Greenway, and even former project directors and assistants. Talk about a scandal!
In the face of these controversies, the citizens of Beaufort are left wondering what this means for our community. Will ethical practices finally be taken more seriously within our local government? One can only hope that lessons will be learned and changes will roll in to restore trust and integrity in our beloved Beaufort.
