News Summary

Beaufort County has concluded a $60,000 investigation into employee information leaks, but the findings remain inconclusive. Managed by Bettis Law Group, the investigation faced criticism for redactions deemed excessive by experts. Despite concerns over potential violations of the Employee Handbook, no job losses have been reported. As pressures for transparency grow, the county council has yet to decide on releasing the findings publicly.

Beaufort County Investigation Concludes Inconclusively Amid Redactions

Beaufort County has wrapped up a $60,000 internal investigation into potential leaks of sensitive employee information, with results deemed inconclusive.

The investigation, managed by Bettis Law Group, began in June and concluded by mid-August 2023. It was reopened in December 2023 but resulted in inconclusive findings again.

• Focus: The investigation targeted violations of the Beaufort County Employee Handbook relating to the improper disclosure of confidential information.
• Findings Release: The county has declined to release specific findings, citing attorney-client privilege. A provided document was largely redacted, revealing minimal details.
• Criticism: A South Carolina media law expert has criticized the redactions, labeling them an “overreach” that may violate state public record transparency laws.
• Employee Status: There has been no confirmed job loss for employees as a result of the investigation.

The Beaufort County Council received a report on findings during an executive session but has not decided whether to waive attorney-client privilege for public access.

The investigation was initiated due to “apparent continuing violations” of policy by employees. Previous issues surrounding transparency and ethical violations have prompted county officials to pledge improvements in public trust.

During the investigation, Beaufort County maintained an ongoing relationship with Bettis Law Group, incurring a total of $91,800 in legal fees across various matters within an eight-month period. Fees varied based on the attorney’s experience, ranging from $100 to $320 per hour.

As Beaufort County seeks to address and rectify internal issues, the lack of clear, publicly accessible findings raises ongoing concerns about transparency and governance.

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Additional Resources

• Island Packet: Beaufort County Investigation
• Wikipedia: Beaufort County, South Carolina
• WNCT: Beaufort County Fire Department Investigation
• Google Search: Beaufort County investigation
• WTOC: Increased Law Enforcement Presence in Beaufort County
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Government
• WCTI: State Bureau of Investigation Probes Officer-Involved Shooting
• Google News: Beaufort County shooting

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