HAMPTON — The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is currently conducting an investigation into possible criminal misconduct within Hampton County government. The probe centers on allegations of a breach of trust involving a former county administrator, according to SLED spokesperson Renee Wunderlich. The specific details and the name of the administrator have not been disclosed at this time.
SLED’s involvement was requested by the Hampton County Sheriff’s Office back in April of this year. However, the exact start date of the investigation remains undisclosed. When approached for comment, Sheriff Anthony Russell declined to provide any immediate response.
According to information from SLED, the Hampton County Guardian newspaper reported on February 12 that the investigation is focusing on former Hampton County Administrator Rose Dobson-Elliott, who currently holds a position in neighboring Jasper County. Dobson-Elliott has not yet been reached for comment but has stated that she has not received any notice of the probe.
Recent years have seen Hampton County embroiled in a dispute over missing public funds. The county has acknowledged misspending at least $3.1 million from a sales tax fund designated for construction projects, as well as $1.5 million from a fire expense fund. The former finance director revealed that the money seemed to have been used for day-to-day expenses, masking mounting deficits. However, the exact allocation of the funds remains uncertain.
In November, lawmakers called upon Governor Henry McMaster to initiate an investigation into the county’s troubling financial situation. They argued that the county government lacked the necessary funds to hire an individual to trace the disappearing millions from its coffers.
While the governor’s office did not officially order an investigation, their staff has held discussions with SLED regarding the missing funds in Hampton County, as confirmed by a spokesman. The governor’s office did not directly respond to the legislative delegation’s request, stating that state agencies do not possess the authority to audit local governments.
South Carolina’s local governments are subject to minimal oversight, as previous investigations by The Post and Courier’s Uncovered project revealed. State watchdog agencies have stated that they lack jurisdiction over counties and municipalities. Additionally, while the state employs forensic accountants for law enforcement purposes, their focus is solely on suspected criminal activities.
In 2021, Hampton County residents began pressuring county officials for answers, spurred on by a retired banker who uncovered discrepancies in the county’s financial records. This led to the formation of the Hampton County Citizens for Active Restoration, a citizens’ group dedicated to finding the truth through a forensic audit. Their efforts prompted county officials to examine the records themselves, resulting in the discovery of further problems.
Randy Vaughn, a founder and spokesperson for the citizens’ group, expressed satisfaction with SLED’s investigation, stating that it is a long-awaited development after years of urging state officials to look into the missing money. Vaughn also emphasized the importance of the County Council proceeding without delay to fulfill their majority vote in favor of conducting a forensic audit.
As SLED continues its investigation in Hampton County government, many questions remain about the alleged criminal misconduct and the missing funds. With the involvement of state law enforcement, there is hope that a thorough examination of the situation will shed light on the truth and provide closure to the community.
