Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright Steps Back on Supervising Son Amid Ethics Probe
In a peculiar turn of events, Spartanburg County’s Sheriff, Chuck Wright, has recused himself from supervising his son following backlash and an investigation by the S.C Ethics Commission. The investigation was prompted by allegations that Sheriff Wright may have violated state ethics laws by hiring his son, Jared Andrew Wright, and then overseeing his work.
Ironic Appointments
The incident began to raise eyebrows when Sheriff Wright hired his son on July 1, 2024, and held a celebratory swearing-in ceremony that was documented and shared on social media. The shared images and the intriguing father-son association sparked a torrent of social media backlash based on allegations of nepotism and potential breaks in state ethics laws.
Two state laws are said to have been infringed by this event. First, 8-13-750(a) prohibits public officials from hiring a family member for a position that they supervise or manage. Second, 8-13-750(b) prevents a public official from participating in their family member’s disciplinary procedures.
Sheriff Wright’s Defense
In response to these accusations and the ensuing ethics investigation, Sheriff Wright drafted a letter, dated July 3, 2024. This communication, addressed to the officers in Jared’s chain of command, stated clearly that he would not be involved in his son’s supervision or possible disciplinary actions. He assured his colleagues and the public that Jared’s working life would be governed solely by a review board composed of Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office captains, independent of himself.
The Ethical Dilemma
While this move presents a possible solution to one aspect of the issue, specifically, the infringement of law 8-13-750(b), it throws into relief the second aspect relating to the initial hiring of his son, Jared. Seth Stoughton, a University of South Carolina law professor and ethical policing expert, noted that despite removing himself from his son’s chain of command, Sheriff Wright remains accountable for the position of deputy, a position now held by his son.
It is yet unclear how this move will affect the existing ethics investigation. Stoughton also pointed out that while legally the situation may find a resolution, the practical implications of such a significant nepotism allegation could prove more difficult to manage.
Power Dynamics at Play
The professor commented: “Even if this helps him avoid running afoul of the state ethics laws, there is still the practical problem —the sheriff still manages everyone else in his son’s chain of command,” highlighting the influence that could potentially be leveraged unconsciously by the Sheriff.
Despite the dire speculation and the ongoing official investigation, Sheriff Wright has remained unresponsive to media requests for comment. His public addresses have been limited to a handful of television interviews with local stations where he mentioned accepting the results of the official investigation and insisted that he did not hire his son.
Emphasizing on public clarification, he noted that “the staff that works here hired my son,” confirming that Jared went through the same process as every other employee. With these words, Sheriff Wright seemed determined to maintain his stance and wait for the ethical investigation’s outcome, a decision that could potentially impact his political and legal standing.
Awaiting Results
As the situation stands, all eyes are on the S.C. Ethics Commission as the drama unfolds. The investigation’s outcome could set a precedent and serve to clarify the ethical responsibilities of public officials in dealing with nepotism situations.
