The police chief of a small Darlington County town is facing 33 ethics charges.
Lamar Police Chief Charles Woodle is under investigation after his recent unsuccessful run for Darlington County Sheriff.
WBTW-TV reports that South Carolina State Ethics Commission officials charged Woodle with 33 different counts on July 18. According to documents from the Commission, Woodle, who sought the Democratic nomination for sheriff, used some of his campaign funds for personal expenses.
He is accused of not depositing five different $1,000 checks into his campaign account– instead cashing them. Investigators also say Woodle accepted $2,500 in excessive campaign contributions. He’s also accused of not detailing or itemizing those illegal contributions in his campaign disclosure. Commission documents say Woodle also failed to file an initial campaign disclosure report within 10 days of receiving or spending at least $500, as required by state law.
Woodle’s hearing will be on November 28 in Columbia.
