Orangeburg County suing dead sheriff’s estate

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Orangeburg County says its late sheriff stole thousands of dollars from the office before his death.

The Times and Democrat of Orangeburg reports (http://bit.ly/KWBiau) the county is suing the estate of Larry Williams.

Williams was sheriff for nearly a decade before his September 2010 death from multiple illnesses.

County officials say Williams took reimbursements from state and federal task forces and spread it among 11 bank accounts, using more than $60,000 to pay off a loan on a recreational vehicle.

The county is also suing Williams’ fiancée. Officials say Ivadella Walters helped Williams take the money. Her attorney, Carl B. Grant, denies she did anything wrong.

Orangeburg’s current sheriff audited the office and found more than $200,000 that was not included in financial statements. State police are investigating.

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Information from: The Times & Democrat, http://www.timesanddemocrat.com