Watch: Embattled Recreation Commission Calls Special Meeting
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Richland County, S.C. (WOLO) —During a special meeting called Wednesday night, the Richland County Recreation board of commissioners unanimously voted to continue cooperating with officials in on going investigations.
The majority of the meeting took place behind closed doors as the board spent more than an hour in executive session.
In recent months numerous allegations have been made against the recreation commission, including fraud, nepotism and sexual harassment.
A criminal investigation, centering around the commission’s Executive Director James Brown, is currently pending with SLED and the FBI.
Brown, who went on paid leave July 1st, is also facing multiple civil lawsuits alleging sexual assault.
Two weeks ago members of the Richland County delegation sent a freedom of information request to the commission for a closer look at how the budget and finances are being handled.
Sen. Joel Lourie (D – Richland) says lawmakers also want to see the report from an internal investigation into the sexual harassment charges against the executive director.
A report the board reviewed earlier in the year.
According to Lourie, “Two people looked at that report and felt like they didn’t want to vote to support the director, five people voted the other way. I’m very confused with that and need to see the report. I either need to feel good about the decisions that this commission is making or maybe the time could be coming where we need to start changing up the commission.”
The senator adds that the commission has only a few more days to provide the delegation with the requested information
