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Anonymous letter to SLED requests investigation

web posted January 31, 2007

COUNTY – EdgefieldDaily.com received a letter that is purported to have been sent to Chief Robert M. Stewart of the South Carolina Law Enforcement (SLED) on January 17, 2007. The letter, signed “Representatives of the Faculty Strom Thurmond High School”, is asking SLED to investigate Edgefield County School Board member James Bibbs for “misuse of public funds” for his documented upgrades for accommodations at non-required conferences.

“Since he has become a school board member, Mr. Bibbs has attended numerous conventions under the pretense of becoming a better school board member,” the letter reads in part, “The problem is that when he goes to these conventions, he requests upgrades for his hotel stays and many times stays in suites.”

EdgefieldDaily.com has reported extensively on the costs incurred by the Edgefield County School District for board members attending conferences, the most recent on November 27 of last year when it was found three board members, led by Bibbs, accounted for 86% of all costs turned in by board members. An earlier report in September, with an accompanying Editorial, noted the previous costs, led once again by Mr. Bibbs.

Attempts to confirm the letter being received by SLED on Tuesday were unsuccessful. However, some in law enforcement said an investigation would be doubtful from an unsigned letter with no return address or contact person. The fact the letter is directed at an elected official is also a “kink” unless there is proof of criminal activity presented with the letter, which there was none.

Some sources indicated that the group is contacting the wrong agency in regard to the public funds and elected officials. “If an elected official is misusing pubic funds that, to me, would seem to be something that the Ethics Commission should handle,” one said on the condition of anonymity. 

A complaint form for the South Carolina Ethics Commission is available online for download and citizens can detail the information they feel is questionable. All complaints are investigated by the commission and the identity of the person or persons making the complaint or complaints is protected and kept confidential.

The Ethics Commission does not investigate a matter unless it involves money or funding issues.

Efforts to reach anyone claiming responsibility for the letter have been unsuccessful and the Edgefield County School District and officials with Strom Thurmond High School have said the letter was not sent on behalf of the school or the district or in any official capacity relating to either body.

A transcript of the entire contents of the letter is available by following this link.
 
 
 

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