Press Release:
BERKELEY COUNTY, S.C.–South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced Wednesday that the State Grand Jury has returned an indictment against Berkeley County School District Superintendent Dr. Rodney Marion Thompson.
Thompson was indicted on April 15, 2015 on one (1) count for the Ethics Act offense of using public funds, property, and time to influence the outcome of an election, pursuant to South Carolina Code 8-13-1346.
The indictment alleges that Thompson, while Berkeley County School District superintendent, did authorize and agree to the production and dissemination of pro-referendum campaign material and campaign communications using public resources, and did use and authorize the use of public resources to lead and direct pro-referendum efforts, all of which promoted and supported a “yes” vote in the school bond referendum held on November 6, 2012.
The charge is a misdemeanor and carries a potential sentence of up to one year in prison and/or a fine of five hundred percent (500%) of the amounts at issue.
The case will be prosecuted by Assistant Deputy Attorney General Creighton Waters and Assistant Attorney General Brian T. Petrano.
Attorney General Wilson stressed all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.
Statement from the Berkeley Co. School District:
The Berkeley County School Board meeting tonight, April 15, 2015 at 5 p.m. was scheduled so that the board could meet and discuss the current superintendent search. During open session Board Chair, Dr. Kent Murray, released this statement regarding the indictment of Dr. Rodney Thompson.
“We learned this afternoon that the District’s Superintendent, Dr. Rodney Thompson, has been indicted in connection with the 2012 school improvement referendum. For these reasons, Dr. Thompson has been placed on administrative leave, with pay. Because this remains an ongoing legal and employment matter, I am unable to comment further regarding the facts of the matter.”
Deputy Superintendent, Archie Franchini, will be Interim Superintendent of Berkeley County School District, effective immediately.
Recent Comments