News Summary
Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright is under investigation for alleged misconduct and financial mismanagement, including misuse of a county credit card. With confirmed FBI and state inquiries ongoing, serious allegations involve possible personal financial gain and misuse of official position. Wright has been put on leave and is facing potential charges while a former chaplain connected to the sheriff’s department is also under investigation. Community concern is rising regarding the implications for local law enforcement.
Spartanburg, SC — Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright is currently under investigation for alleged misconduct and financial mismanagement, which includes serious accusations about his use of a county credit card. An active FBI investigation has been confirmed, coinciding with a state-level inquiry by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), which has been ongoing since September 2024.
Wright, who served as sheriff for over 20 years after being first elected in November 2004, received a letter dated May 15 from Chief Deputy William Parris stating that his pay would be halted within ten days. This abrupt communication came after Wright had been on leave for seven weeks. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office indicated to the county that he was not entitled to salary during his leave of absence. Wright returned to his position on May 16, just a day after this notification, but resigned one week later.
The allegations against Wright are severe. Misconduct in office, misuse of his official position for personal financial gain, and fraudulent acquisition of drugs or devices are among the charges he may face. Furthermore, potential charges could also relate to breach of trust with fraudulent intent. A former chaplain associated with the sheriff’s department, Amos Durham, is similarly being investigated for comparable allegations.
Central to the investigation are concerns over Wright’s management of a county credit card, where approximately $53,000 in questionable expenditures have been reported. These expenses allegedly include personal purchases like streaming service subscriptions and Apple products. There is significant concern regarding Wright’s record-keeping, as historical investigations revealed he maintained no documentation of his credit card transactions.
In light of these developments, the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which serves Anderson and Oconee counties, has been assigned to oversee the potential prosecution of Wright. This decision was made due to conflicts of interest from the Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office. A former captain within the sheriff’s office indicated that there were also rumors surrounding Durham’s alleged misappropriation of the chaplain’s fund for personal benefits, though further details on this matter are still emerging.
This situation unfolds against the backdrop of Wright’s long tenure in law enforcement. His abrupt leave of absence began on April 1 for reasons reportedly linked to rehabilitation treatment, and he subsequently faced scrutiny upon his return. Concerned about the implications of these investigations, community members and officials alike are awaiting the outcome of both the FBI and SLED probes.
As Wright has now resigned from his post, the local law enforcement community is bracing for additional ramifications stemming from these allegations. The investigation’s findings will likely have significant impacts not just on Wright and Durham, but also on the public’s trust in law enforcement agencies in Spartanburg County.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg County Sheriff Investigation
- Fox Carolina: Letter Halting Former Sheriff’s Pay
- GoUpstate: Potential Charges Against Ex-Sheriff
- Wikipedia: Roles and Responsibilities of a Sheriff
- FitsNews: State Investigation of Ex-Spartanburg Sheriff
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.
