SUMTER, SC (WIS) -
A candidate for Sumter County Council has been arrested and charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent after an investigation into missing money from a Sumter church linked him to over $150,000 in missing funds.
Todd R. Newman, 50, was arrested on Thursday. He is as a candidate for County Council District 5, running against Councilwoman Vivian Fleming-McGhaney.
According to Sumter Police Chief Russell Roark, an elder of the Plaza Church of Christ on Camden Highway reported to law enforcement that Newman, who had been entrusted with the church's finances, had misappropriated funds over the span of several years by cashing unauthorized checks made payable to himself.
"The funds were converted to a personal credit union account in Mr. Newman's name," said Sumter Police investigator John Latiker. "There are many other checks that are made payable to Mr. Newman and his business the Mid-State Dental Lab."
Roark said detectives have been able to corroborate through their investigation and various financial documents that Newman had been skimming from church funds. So far, evidence shows Newman took $155,000, but up to $400,000 may be missing, investigators said.
Newman is a volunteer firefighter and on the Board of Sumter Crimestoppers, and investigators say he had access to fundraising money.
"We do have concern over any further activity in regards to those organizations in which he's involved," said Latiker.
Newman remained silent, his attorney speaking up in court today, to argue bond was set too high.
"As he testified here today, in fact he's even running for office so we're asking that the court take that into consideration," said Newman's attorney Richard Jones.
Ironically Newman campaign signs for County Council are along the road to the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention center, where he is held awaiting a bond hearing.
Over the phone, church elder Harry Davis told us the church is praying for and loves Todd and his family. Davis says they're a small but strong church and will pull together.
The investigation is still ongoing and Newman may face additional charges, the chief said.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison.
Anyone with information in reference to this incident or other incidents involving Newman is asked to contact the Sumter Police Department at (803) 436-2717.
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Todd R. Newman (Source: Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center)
