Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Sentenced to 41 Months in Prison for Federal Corruption Scheme

Former Spartanburg County sheriff sentenced to 41 months in prison for federal corruption scheme.

DOJ says Charles Wright misused nonprofit funds, taxpayer resources and law enforcement authority for personal gain.

Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Charles Wright has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison after prosecutors said he abused his position of authority in a public corruption scheme involving stolen nonprofit funds, taxpayer resources and controlled substances.

Wright, 61, of Wellford, was sentenced on July 7 by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of South Carolina.

Federal prosecutors said Wright used his position as sheriff to personally benefit from the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund, a nonprofit organization created to provide financial assistance to deputies and their families during emergencies, including financial hardships, bereavement and traumatic line-of-duty events.

According to court documents, Wright directed fund director Amos Durham to withdraw cash and write checks to Wright, who then used the money for personal expenses rather than assisting deputies and their families.

Prosecutors said Wright took more than $89,000 in donated cash from the fund for personal use, including hotel stays, food and travel expenses.

The misuse of the fund left deputies without assistance when they sought help, prosecutors said. One employee’s family was denied assistance with hospice expenses because the fund had been depleted, while another deputy was denied help with repairs after a tree fell on the deputy’s home.

Investigators also said Wright used a county-issued credit card for more than $17,000 in personal purchases, including fitness programs, Apple products, online gaming and streaming subscriptions.

The corruption scheme also involved Wright’s cousin, Lawson Watson, who prosecutors said received more than $200,000 in taxpayer-funded salary and benefits for a position he did not perform.

According to the DOJ, Wright hired Watson as a Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office employee and allowed him to continue receiving pay from at least January 2021 through March 2025 despite knowing Watson was not performing assigned duties. Prosecutors said Watson was also provided access to a county vehicle and phone that were used for private employment.

Federal prosecutors further alleged Wright abused his law enforcement authority to obtain prescription narcotics under false pretenses.

Investigators said Wright falsely claimed pills were being collected as part of the sheriff’s office’s narcotics take-back program but instead kept the controlled substances for personal use. Prosecutors said Wright targeted people experiencing medical hardships or grief, including individuals at funerals, churches and after surgeries.

The DOJ said Wright also obtained pills from a street-level dealer while wearing his sheriff’s uniform and carrying his badge and service weapon.

“Wright’s abuses represent a grave violation of public trust,” U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina said in a statement. “He let down the people who elected him to serve.”

FBI Columbia Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore said the sentencing demonstrates that public officials are accountable when they violate the trust placed in them.

“There is a real cost for tarnishing the badge and the trust it represents,” Moore said.

The investigation was conducted by the FBI Columbia Field Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lothrop Morris and Criminal Chief Elliott B. Daniels prosecuted the case.

Wright will serve three years of court-ordered supervision following his prison sentence. Federal inmates do not receive parole.

Two other defendants in the case, Durham and Watson, are scheduled to be sentenced Thursday, July 9.