News Summary
Sheriff Chuck Wright of Spartanburg County is battling legal issues as former employees allege wrongful termination connected to political motivations and misconduct. Sgt. Tracy Moss, fired post-primary, claims her dismissal was retaliatory due to her support for Wright’s opponent, Nick Duncan. Investigations have cleared her of misconduct allegations, yet the sheriff’s office proceeded with its own inquiry without interviewing her. Additionally, former Lt. Jeremy Byrd has also filed a wrongful termination suit against Wright. These developments have drawn scrutiny towards the sheriff’s office and its leadership.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Faces Legal Challenges Amid Allegations
Spartanburg, South Carolina – Legal troubles are escalating for Sheriff Chuck Wright of Spartanburg County, as former employees allege wrongful termination related to political motivations and misconduct investigations. The controversies surrounding Wright intensified following the firing of Sgt. Tracy Moss after the Republican primary in June 2024, where Wright accused her of misconduct. An investigation conducted by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) reportedly found no evidence of any criminal activity against Moss.
Despite SLED’s findings, the sheriff’s office proceeded with its own investigation into Moss’s alleged misconduct, during which Sgt. Moss was not interviewed, according to her attorney. This investigation further delayed Moss’s recertification as a law enforcement officer, affecting her ability to secure new employment. Moss has filed a lawsuit against Sheriff Wright and the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, claiming that her termination was politically motivated because of her perceived support for Wright’s opponent, Nick Duncan, during the primary campaign.
The timeline of events began when Wright, shortly after his primary victory, accused Moss of political bias and misconduct, suggesting he had to let her go based on her supposedly supporting Duncan. It came to light that Moss was informed of her termination shortly after returning from a planned vacation, during which Wright had contacted SLED regarding the alleged misconduct.
Moss’s dismissal letter cited vague reasons including “Truthfulness” and “Unsatisfactory Performance,” but did not specify details regarding the alleged improprieties. This lack of clarity in both Moss’s and the sheriff’s office’s records raises questions about the justification for her termination. Moreover, Moss alleged that Wright operated a “hit list” targeting employees who supported Duncan and intended to eliminate them from the department.
In addition to Moss’s lawsuit, former Lt. Jeremy Byrd has also filed legal action against Wright, claiming wrongful termination. Byrd’s allegations center on his support for Duncan and his concerns regarding nepotism stemming from Wright hiring his son. He reported being labeled a “mole” after expressing his worries, further complicating the dynamics within the sheriff’s department.
The atmosphere has become alarmingly challenging for Wright, who is also under investigation by the FBI for allegations of misuse of taxpayer funds related to personal credit card transactions. Reports suggest that the ongoing controversies prompted Wright to take a medical leave of absence starting April 1, 2025. Upon his return, he resumed control of the sheriff’s office, a move that raised further discussions among Spartanburg County Council members regarding his compensation during his absence.
The sheriff’s office has continued to operate under Chief Deputy Billy Parris while Wright was on leave. The investigation by the FBI and the escalating lawsuits create a precarious situation that casts doubt on the leadership within the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office.
As these lawsuits progress, the outcome will be pivotal for Wright and the sheriff’s office, whose record of governance is increasingly under scrutiny. The legal implications could have broad ramifications not only for Wright’s future but also for the integrity of the sheriff’s department and community trust in law enforcement in Spartanburg County.
With these significant allegations and ongoing investigations, local residents remain watchful of developments while seeking clarity on the future of their law enforcement leadership.
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Additional Resources
- WSPA: Spartanburg County Council Pauses Action Against Sheriff Chuck Wright
- GoUpstate: Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright Sued by Former Employee
- WYFF: Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright Lawsuit – Tracy Moss
- Fox Carolina: Lawsuit Reveals Details of Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Hit List
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright SLED Investigation
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Google Search: Spartanburg Sheriff Chuck Wright News
- Google Scholar: Chuck Wright Spartanburg County
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
- Google News: Spartanburg County Sheriff Lawsuits
