Jasper County Council adds executive-session item on alleged misappropriation and threats, then moves into closed session

The Jasper County Council amended its agenda to add an executive-session discussion of a criminal investigation into alleged misappropriation of funds and alleged threats by the county treasurer, then voted to enter executive session.

At the start of the meeting the clerk read a notice about public notification, saying in part, "While the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act does not strictly apply for emergency meetings or special meetings...county council used its best efforts to inform the public via physical posting of the agenda as early as possible, publishing of the agenda on the county website, and the publishing of the agenda to all news media and persons 24 hours prior to this meeting requesting notification." That statement was offered before the council amended the agenda.

The chair asked the body to add two items to executive session: a criminal-investigation discussion described as involving "misappropriation of funds," and "alleged threats made by the treasurer against the county staff," saying the additions were justified under the South Carolina Freedom of Information Act and section 30-4-80 and that "a super majority vote of counsel, 4 to 5 of counsel is required to add this item to the agenda." The chair also stated that "action may be taken on this matter coming out of executive session." (The transcript uses the phrasing "thirty-four-seventy A 4" in one line; the council also referenced "section 30-4-80" elsewhere.)

A council member moved to approve the amended agenda and another member seconded; the motion was approved by voice vote with no opposition recorded in the transcript. Later the council moved, seconded and approved a motion to go into executive session; the chair closed the public portion by saying, "We're going to executive session." The transcript does not record a roll-call vote or named vote tallies for either motion.

The meeting then proceeded into executive session; the public record in this transcript ends as the body moved into closed session. The transcript indicates the county is permitting the executive-session additions "for the public benefit and for an abundance of caution," but it does not provide further factual detail about the alleged misappropriation, the nature or timing of the claimed threats, any involved employees, or any subsequent actions or outcomes taken in executive session.

Next procedural steps were not specified in the public portion of the transcript: the record does not show whether the council returned to open session later in the same meeting, whether any formal action was taken, or whether a public report will follow.