By Mike McCombs
The Island News
The Beaufort County Council has scheduled a Special Called meeting for 10:30 a.m., Monday, July 24 in Council Chambers at the Administration Building for Beaufort County Government Robert Smalls Complex at 100 Ribaut Road.
Item 4 on Council’s agenda is an Executive Session “Pursuant to S.C. Code Section 30-4-70(a)(2) and 30-4-70(a)(1) to receive legal advice on matters covered by the attorney-client privilege and to discuss issues related to the employment of a person regulated by council.”
Item 5, back in Public Session, is dedicated to “matters arising out of Executive Session.”
While the focus of this meeting is unknown, it is likely to discuss the status of Beaufort County Administrator Eric Greenway.
A criminal complaint against Greenway for misconduct in office was filed May 11, 2023 with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He is being investigated by the Public Integrity Unit, a team of prosecutors and investigators from the 1st and 14th Circuit solicitors’ offices.
According to the incident report’s investigation narrative, dated June 29, 2023, “On 5-11-23, a complaint was received at [the] Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office regarding activities that may constitute misconduct by Eric Greenway. After reviewing the information received and following a consultation with solicitor Duffie Stone, it was determined that the complaint would be forwarded to an independent agency for investigation.”
The incident report states that the alleged offenses took place between 8 a.m., January 9, 2023 and 4 p.m., June 29, 2023. Aside from that, there is no complainant listed and there are no details of any alleged crimes.
South Carolina recognizes the common law offense of misconduct in office. It occurs “when duties imposed by law have not been properly and faithfully discharged.” To constitute a crime, such conduct must be willful and dishonest.
Legally, there are three kinds of misconduct – malfeasance, which means acting illegally; misfeasance, which means acting legally but corruptly; and nonfeasance, which means not carrying out a required duty of the office.
Mike McCombs is the Editor of The Island News and can be reached at TheIslandNews@gmail.com.
