ORANGEBURG COUNTY, SC (WIS) -
Could Orangeburg County Sheriff Leroy Ravenell be at risk of losing his office? That's the question his challengers want answered.
Ravenell is under state ethics investigation over his candidacy certification.
We obtained a letter from the state Elections Commission from a source. The letter confirms they are looking into whether Ravenell correctly filed to run for office in 2010. Ethics records show he filed his candidate forms late -- it's the same thing that cost 200 candidates a spot on the ballot earlier this year.
Darnell Johnson knows winning the Orangeburg County sheriff's race in November won't be easy. He's running as a write-in after the county Democratic Party kicked him off the ballot in May because he didn't file his candidate forms correctly.
"What that led me to do is actually go back and look at not only my own stuff, but actually all candidates involved, not just in the sheriff's race, but countywide," Johnson said.
Ravenell filed to fill former Sheriff Larry Williams' seat after Williams died in office in 2010. The filing deadline was October 18, but an ethics form shows Ravenell didn't file his ethics forms correctly. He filed his finance report the day before the primary -- 7 weeks late.
Johnson filed a complaint with county party chair Betty Henderson.
"They shrugged their shoulders," Johnson said. "That let me know they did not care. They did not care to entertain. They didn't bother to even look at the facts and truly, I don't even really believe the county executive committee even convened to look into the issue."
We went to Henderson's home to ask about Ravenell's filing. Henderson says she wasn't dressed for an interview, but answered questions over the phone.
"The law was followed," Henderson said. "The law that was given was followed."
"I certified him in 2010, I certified him in 2012, and I'm going to certify him again in two weeks. The people have spoken, and I certainly hope that we'll recognize that and respect that."
We reached out to Ravenell, but we haven't heard back. We also asked the state Democratic Party whether they're investigating the sheriff's certification. Neither the party chairman, nor party director answered our message. There is no timeline on how long it may take the Ethics Commission to finish their investigation.
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
Sheriff Leroy Ravenell filed to fill former Sheriff Larry Williams' seat after Williams died in office in 2010.
