By Delayna Earley
The Island News
Beaufort County Finance Director Denise Christmas has been promoted to the position of Deputy County Administrator according to multiple sources who work for the county but wish to remain anonymous.
When reached for comment, newly hired Public Information Officer Hannah Nichols said she could not comment because she has not been made aware of the promotion, but she said she would look into it to find out what she can confirm.
The position has been officially vacant since former Deputy County Administrator Whitney Richland resigned on August 18, per a statement from Beaufort County.
Richland is currently under investigation by the S.C. State Ethics Commission for her role in the alleged attempted purchase of almost 600 weighted blankets from a company reportedly owned by Richland’s husband.
Delayna Earley lives in Beaufort with her husband, two children and Jack Russell. She formerly worked as a photojournalist for The Island Packet/The Beaufort Gazette, as well as newspapers in Indiana and Virginia. She joined The Island News in 2022. She can be reached at delayna.theislandnews@gmail.com.
