Former Spartanburg Sheriff Pleads Guilty to Federal Corruption and Theft Charges

Chuck Wright, the former sheriff of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, has pleaded guilty to multiple federal charges including conspiracy to commit theft concerning federal funds, wire fraud, and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation. Wright admitted to embezzling approximately $28,000 from the department's Benevolence Fund, which was intended to aid officers in financial distress, using the stolen money for personal expenses such as travel, food, clothing, and controlled substances. He also fraudulently obtained 147 pills of oxycodone and hydrocodone by misrepresenting that the drugs were for a narcotics take-back program when they were for his personal use. Additionally, Wright created a fake position that paid a friend, Lawson Watson, over $200,000 for work he did not perform. Two other former employees, Amos Durham and Lawson Watson, have also pleaded guilty in connection with the corruption scheme. Wright faces up to 20 years in prison and has been ordered to attend a drug treatment program, with sentencing scheduled for a later date.