After executive session, Laurens County Council authorizes finance‑director hire and directs county attorney to coordinate on outside criminal investigation

After adjourning into executive session, the Laurens County Council announced two formal post‑session actions.

The council voted to allow the county administrator to proceed with the hiring process for the finance‑director position based on his recommendation. The motion was seconded and approved in open session.

Council also reported that it discussed investigative proceedings concerning allegations of criminal misconduct by an outside third party that targeted county employees. The chair clarified the investigation concerns a third party and not county employees or county operations, and the council authorized the county attorney to communicate and coordinate with law enforcement officials, engage insurance carriers, seek recovery and approved settlements, and report back to council at the conclusion of investigative restraints. The council said it will not comment further on active criminal investigations on advice of the county attorney.

Why it matters: The finance‑director hire will affect the county’s financial management team and budget implementation. The attorney’s authorization gives the county legal authority to work with law enforcement and insurers and to pursue recovery where appropriate; the council’s public record intentionally limits details while the matter remains an active investigation.

Next steps: Administrator and county attorney staff will follow hiring procedures and coordinate legally sensitive investigative steps with law‑enforcement partners and insurers; the county attorney will report back to council when appropriate.

Ending: Both motions were approved after executive session; council emphasized confidentiality on active investigative matters.