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Sheriff invites SLED to probe allegations, says accusations are political attack

During a news conference Tuesday at Orangeburg-Calhoun Law Enforcement Complex, Orangeburg County Sheriff Larry Williams responds to allegations made about his tenure as sheriff. (Photo by VAN HOPE/T&D)

A day after accusations of wrongdoing in the Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office, Sheriff Larry Williams announced he has invited the State Law Enforcement Division to examine the allegations and the people who made them.

Williams said Monday's press conference by disgruntled former employees who alleged several incidents of misconduct was a political tactic in an election year.

"I firmly believe this is a political attack, and my staff is very touched by this," Williams said. "I'm calling in the police to investigate these allegations and the people that made these allegations."

During a press conference at Orangeburg Mall Monday, seven individuals leveled a variety of charges from misuse of federal grant money to altering documents.

"All allegations will be investigated by SLED," Williams said. "I know the story will surface. I just ask for a fair campaign."

SLED spokesperson Kathryn Richardson confirmed Tuesday the agency had received a request for an investigation.

The South Carolina Sheriff's Association also rebutted Tuesday former OCSO Sgt. Colie Carter's accusation that Williams bought off the South Carolina Sheriff's Association's nomination for Sheriff of the Year. Carter currently works for the Elloree Police Department.

"There was no reason in the world he (Williams) shouldn't have been nominated," S.C. Sheriff's Association Executive Director Jeffrey Moore said. "I'll be honest, I'm taken aback. I think it's very offensive for anybody to make that accusation, not knowing the process."

Moore said this was the first year outsiders chose the award winner. A group consisting of attorneys, South Carolina Highway Patrol officials, judges and others associated with law enforcement anonymously made the decision to choose Williams.

No one associated with the South Carolina Sheriff's Association had anything to do with the selection process, Moore said.

Williams took office after a bitterly contested 2000 race, ousting then-sheriff James "Poppa" Johnson. Johnson has now served two years of a four-year sentence in federal prison after his 2001 conviction for his role in a tax scam.

Williams is facing two challengers this time around -- former sheriff Vance Boone and Leon Porter, a former sheriff's office captain.

The announcement Friday of the group's impending news conference listed Scott Malyerck as the media contact. Malyerck is a political consultant from Irmo who has worked on political campaigns such as the Dan Quayle and Elizabeth Dole presidential bids.

Malyerck is now a consultant for the Vance Boone campaign, Boone and his campaign coordinator, Charlie Jamison, confirmed Monday night. Both denied any connection to the Monday press conference and said Malyerck's link to the group was not part of his work with Boone. Jamison said he had heard that Malyerck was being retained by the group holding Monday's press conference.

Malyerck has not responded to phone messages left by The Times and Democrat.

Asked about Malyerck, Williams said the consultant's job is to "bash people."

"That's what he's contracted to do," he said.

Although the former OCSO employees speaking Monday said their dissatisfaction was several years in the making, Williams said this was the first he had heard of any disagreements.

"They haven't made any (allegations) known to the county," Williams said. "I'm really disappointed they took three years to come forward. But I'm going to run a clean campaign, I'm not going to run a campaign to bash people."

Besides Carter, the group of former employees included Ken Pauley, officer with OCSO; Rhonda Bryant; Michelle Goodwin, records division; Ruby Gilland, patrol secretary; Sue Hudson, a cross-trained clerk; Annette Prezzy, a warrants record clerk; and a dispatcher identified only as Dana.

Williams called the accusations "vindictive" and said he hoped an investigation by an outside agency would quell any rumors.

"I've opened my doors to the county and now the state," he said. "I wish we could have a campaign based on crime, the real issues."

T&D Staff Writer Richard Walker can be reached by e-mail at rwalker@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5516.