Beaufort County Town Hall Turmoil: Ethics Questions Arise Over Land Sale Involving County Attorney
In the charming town of Beaufort, South Carolina, a fresh wave of controversy is sweeping through local government after an independent legal review has turned the spotlight on County Attorney Brittany Ward and her familial ties to a recent land sale. Residents are abuzz with questions after it was revealed that Ward’s parents were heavily involved in the transaction of a property that the county purchased for preservation.
The Basics: What Happened?
So, here’s the scoop: in late 2021, Ward’s parents, Michael and Julienne Orr, purchased a piece of land located at 20 Barrel Landing Road for a cool $290,000. Fast forward to February 2024, and the county swooped in, acquiring the same parcel for its appraised value of $434,000. This made for a hefty profit of $144,000 for the Orrs, raising eyebrows in the community.
The Eyebrow-Raising Review
The review was conducted by Ashley Story of White & Story, LLC, and while it determined that Ward followed the county’s ethics policy in most aspects, it also highlighted a troubling detail: she didn’t fully disclose her relationship to the landowners to all members of the county council. This lack of complete transparency has led to heightened concerns among residents about possible conflicts of interest.
What Sparked the Investigation?
The entire situation erupted into the public eye following a citizen complaint dated October 15, raising serious questions about the legality and ethics behind this land deal. By mid-October, various email conversations began swirling among council members regarding the issue, and tensions have only grown since.
According to county spokesperson Hannah Nichols, Ward submitted her resignation letter to County Administrator Michael Moore before any allegations were made public. Interestingly, this resignation letter goes missing in the documents released through a FOIA request, fueling even more curiosity and distrust.
A Timeline That Raises Questions
Digging deeper, the timeline of events begins back in the year 2000, when the council initially voted to purchase the land at Barrel Landing. From July 2021, when a local real estate agent reached out to Ward and her husband about the property, to the final purchase by the county, the review tracks everything meticulously. Ward had kept her parents’ connection under wraps, and even recused herself from discussions about the property whenever it was on the agenda.
However, it was only in January 2023 that she informed the Passive Parks Department about her parents’ ownership—after an inquiry about the property came through.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
Residents are demanding even more transparency as they digest the findings of the review. Many are calling for strict measures to prevent such situations from occurring in the future. Recommendations from the review include updating the county’s ethics policy to mandate detailed written disclosures of conflicts of interest and implementing ethics training for staff.
Conclusion: More Questions Than Answers
With Ward set to step down as county attorney on December 2, the lingering questions around this land deal are casting a shadow over Beaufort County’s governance. The community is left wondering how such a situation could arise and what measures will be put in place to rebuild trust.
It remains to be seen how the county will address these concerns, but one thing is certain: Beaufort residents are keeping a close eye on their local government. With calls for transparency echoing throughout town, the hope is that lessons will be learned, and conflicts of interest like this will become a thing of the past. Stay tuned for more updates as this story continues to unfold!
