News Summary
An investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division into former Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright has revealed serious allegations of misconduct. The inquiry includes charges such as misconduct of a public officer and obtaining drugs by fraud. Allegations involve unauthorized personal expenditures totaling over $53,000. Wright’s leadership tenure raises further scrutiny due to previous misuse of department resources, leading to potential felony charges. Both Wright and Chaplain Amos Durham have resigned amid the ongoing investigation, which highlights concerns over ethics and accountability in public service.
Spartanburg, South Carolina – An ongoing investigation by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) into former Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright has revealed serious allegations of misconduct that could have significant legal consequences. The inquiry, which first began in September 2024, also involves Chaplain Amos Durham, who served in the Sheriff’s Office alongside Wright.
The investigation focuses on several charges against Wright, including misconduct of a public officer, use of official position for financial gain, obtaining drugs by fraud, and breach of trust with fraudulent intent. Chaplain Durham is also under investigation for breach of trust related to similar allegations.
The SLED’s investigation was triggered after reports surfaced regarding Wright’s suspicious credit card expenditures that totaled over $53,000. Records indicate that his spending from December 2017 included personal items, such as streaming service subscriptions, Apple products, and video games, with a notable absence of any proper documentation to justify these costs. Wright attempted to defend some of the expenses by stating that they were related to “phone games,” and he reimbursed the Sheriff’s Office a mere $1,111, but failed to provide adequate records for the reimbursement claimed.
Additionally, previous investigations had already established a pattern of misuse of department resources under Wright’s leadership, which included unauthorized use of department helicopters.
The breach of trust charge could lead to felony larceny charges, depending on the ultimate findings of the investigation. Legal experts noted that misconduct charges encompass various public official offenses, ranging from malfeasance to nonfeasance, increasing the severity of the implications for Wright.
Wright took a leave of absence on April 1, 2025, before resigning on May 23 due to the ongoing investigations and related health issues. Durham, too, resigned from his chaplaincy role on May 5, 2025, citing changes to his personal career trajectory.
Both men faced mounting public scrutiny, as allegations of inappropriate hiring practices and misallocation of public funds surfaced during the process. There has also been a noted lack of transparency regarding the financial aspects of Durham’s Benevolence Fund, contributing to an already complicated investigation.
Wright’s tenure as sheriff spanned more than 21 years, and he was previously recognized for his involvement in notable criminal investigations, including the capture of serial killer Todd Kohlhepp in 2016. However, the current allegations cast a shadow over his long career.
In response to the investigation, the Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office has requested that prosecutorial responsibilities be transferred to the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office to avoid any conflicts of interest.
As of now, neither Wright nor Durham have been formally charged as the investigations by SLED, the State Ethics Commission, and the FBI are still ongoing. Investigators may release additional information as the inquiry develops, suggesting the potential for future legal actions against both individuals. This situation highlights significant ethical and legal concerns involving public officials and their responsibilities to the communities they serve.
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Additional Resources
- GoUpstate: Ex-Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright, Chaplain Could Face Charges
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright SLED Investigation
- Fox Carolina: Doc Sheds Light on State Investigation into Former Sheriff Chuck Wright
- Wikipedia: Chuck Wright (Sheriff)
- Google Search: Chuck Wright South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE SPARTANBURG
The SPARTANBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESpartanburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Spartanburg, Spartanburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Spartanburg International Festival, Spartanburg ArtWalk, and motorsport events at Spartanburg Speedway. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce and the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and textiles that power the local economy such as BMW Manufacturing and Milliken & Company. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
