Governor suspends SC mayor indicted on embezzlement, misconduct charges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - A grand jury has indicted the mayor of Swansea on several charges, the state attorney general announced Monday.

Jerald Sanders is charged with embezzlement of public funds less than $10,000, which is a felony, and misconduct in office, a misdemeanor.

The indictments claim Sanders embezzled funds by writing checks to himself from the Town of Swansea between December 2019 and January 2020.

He could face up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Gov. Henry McMaster suspended Sanders through an executive order issued Monday.

The governor said the mayor pro tempore of Swansea will serve as mayor until Sanders is acquitted or convicted, or until a successor is appointed or elected.

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