Investigation into Spartanburg Sheriff Wright’s Credit Card Use

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County council members discussing fiscal responsibility in Spartanburg

News Summary

Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft is calling for an investigation into Sheriff Chuck Wright’s $53,000 credit card spending over six years. Concerns arise from reports of lavish purchases and insufficient records. The Ethics Commission has also initiated an inquiry related to a hiring decision involving Wright’s son. Council members are reviewing the expenditures amidst calls for government accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Spartanburg County Councilman Calls for Investigation into Sheriff Chuck Wright’s Credit Card Spending

The city of Spartanburg is once again in the headlines as Councilman Monier Abusaft has raised concerns about Sheriff Chuck Wright‘s credit card expenditures. During a council meeting on February 17, Abusaft urged for an outside investigation into the sheriff’s spending habits, which have raised eyebrows among some members of the community. The total credit card bills accumulated by Wright have exceeded a staggering $53,000 over the last six-and-a-half years, from December 2017 to April 2024.

The Spending Breakdown

Wright has touted his credit card spending as justifiable, defending it publicly at a graduation ceremony for the South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy. He insists that he has done nothing wrong. However, the expenditures paint a complicated picture. Reports surfaced revealing that Wright’s credit card transactions included lavish expenses, such as meals at high-end steakhouses, stays at beach resort hotels, and various purchases from Amazon. Additionally, fitness-related services were also featured prominently on the bills.

These revelations have spurred public criticism, prompting the Spartanburg County Council to take action by limiting Wright’s use of his credit card. Abusaft emphasized the importance of government accountability, stating that it’s essential to justify every single dollar spent of taxpayer money. Such sentiments resonate strongly in a climate where financial transparency is a major concern for the public.

A Closer Look at the Credit Card Use

Adding another layer to the drama, it was discovered that Wright’s credit cards were not included in the county’s more stringent purchasing card system. This system requires proper record-keeping where employees must retain receipts and provide justifiable reasons for their expenses. As a response to the ongoing scrutiny, the council enacted a crackdown, and a recent record request revealed that there were no purchases made with Wright’s card in the month of January.

Interestingly enough, it has been reported that Wright reimbursed the county for $1,100 corresponding to personal purchases. However, the manner in which this amount was computed remains murky, leaving many questions unanswered regarding what constitutes a personal expense versus an official one.

Ethics Commission Investigation

Compounding the matter, the state Ethics Commission has launched an investigation into Wright, triggered by allegations tied to the hiring of his son. This situation potentially breaches ethics laws which could have serious repercussions. Adding fuel to the fire, a former deputy has filed a lawsuit claiming wrongful termination for opposing the hiring decision, complicating Wright’s already turbulent situation.

Council’s Response

Despite the unfolding complexities, Councilman David Britt assures residents that the council is taking the issue very seriously. They are in the process of gathering all pertinent information to address these concerns adequately. Strikingly, after Abusaft laid out his arguments regarding the need for an investigation, there was little response from the rest of the council members, save for council Chair Manning Lynch, who registered his acknowledgment of Abusaft’s points.

With various elements of this story unfolding in real-time, it’s clear that the relationship between the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office and the council is reaching a critical juncture. As the investigation continues, residents are left wondering how this will shape the future of their local law enforcement and fiscal responsibility.