Deceased Sheriff Sued by Orangeburg County

ORANGEBURG, S.C. (AP) — Orangeburg County alleges says its late sheriff, Larry Williams, along with his fiancee Ivadella Walters, stole thousands in taxpayer dollars prior to his death. Court documents filed May 10th claim Williams and Walters embezzled more than $200,000 in funds unaccounted for in county records. Walters, who was an employee at the South Carolina Federal Credit Union at the time, allegedly created and managed accounts Williams had set up. An audit requested by current Sheriff Leroy Ravenel revealed 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. Also, copies of checks obtained by ABC Columbia show lump sums of money paid to Williams. He was sheriff for nearly a decade before his September 2010 death from multiple illnesses. Officials say Ivadella Walters helped Williams take the money. Her attorney, Carl B. Grant, denies she did anything wrong. State police are investigating. A jury trial has been requested.