News Summary
An investigation has been initiated against former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright and Chaplain Amos Durham for alleged misconduct. Potential charges include misuse of public funds, fraud, and breach of trust. The inquiry, led by SLED, follows reports of unauthorized county credit card transactions exceeding $53,000 by Wright. Both individuals have stepped down amid ongoing scrutiny, as the FBI also conducts its examination of the Sheriff’s Office. The developments raise concerns about ethics and accountability within county leadership.
Spartanburg, SC – An investigation has been launched against former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright and former Sheriff’s Office Chaplain Amos Durham amid multiple allegations of misconduct. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has sent a letter which outlines potential charges against both individuals, leading to an examination by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The potential charges against Wright include misconduct of a public officer, use of his official position for financial gain, obtaining drugs through fraud or deceit, and breach of trust with fraudulent intent. Additionally, Chaplain Amos Durham may face a charge of breach of trust with fraudulent intent as part of the ongoing investigations.
The investigation into Wright began in September 2024 and was reportedly triggered by his use of a county credit card, where he allegedly spent over $53,000 on unauthorized transactions, as revealed by recent reports. These transactions included several personal purchases such as payments for streaming services and Apple products. Following these allegations, Wright resigned from his position on May 23, 2025, amidst an ethics investigation regarding hiring his son.
Prior to his resignation, Wright had taken a leave of absence on April 1, 2025, purportedly for rehabilitation purposes. Meanwhile, Durham, who had held the chaplaincy role since 2004, stepped down on May 5, 2025.
After the findings from the investigation surfaced, the potential prosecution of Wright was transferred to the 10th Circuit Solicitor’s Office due to conflicts of interest identified within the Spartanburg County Solicitor’s Office. At the same time, the FBI has initiated its examination of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office, adding another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of the department.
SLED confirmed that their investigation focuses on allegations of financial malpractice attributed to Wright’s behavior during his time in office. The charges faced by Wright may carry felony penalties, especially concerning the breach of trust with fraudulent intent. Meanwhile, Durham is also being investigated for his potential misuse of the Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund, a resource intended for providing financial support to officers in need. However, specific evidence regarding Durham’s actions has not yet been disclosed.
In the year prior to the investigations, Durham received over $55,000 for his role at the sheriff’s office. The Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund was heavily promoted through social media and community fundraising events, including a golf tournament, emphasizing its importance to the local law enforcement community.
Wright has had a long tenure as the Spartanburg County Sheriff, having begun his service in November 2004, and holding the office for more than 21 years. Ensuring transparency and accountability in law enforcement has become increasingly critical, and the ongoing investigations into Wright and Durham highlight emerging concerns about ethical practices within the county’s leadership.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Spartanburg County Sheriff Investigation
- Fox Carolina: Former Sheriff’s Pay
- Go Upstate: Charges Against Ex-Sheriff
- Wikipedia: Spartanburg County, South Carolina
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Spartanburg
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.
