Watch: Lawmakers Looking for Commissioners’ Resignations

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Columbia, S.C. (WOLO) — Members of the Richland County Legislative Delegation asked five Recreation Commissioners to resign during a state house press conference Wednesday morning.

In a letter sent to the commission, lawmakers say Board Commissioners J.Marie Green, Barbara Mickens, Weston Furgess, George Martin, and Joseph Weeks “continue to put their interests and those of James Brown III, ahead of the interests of the citizens of Richland County.”

The request comes after months of turmoil at the commission.

The FBI and SLED are currently conducting a criminal investigation into allegations of fraud, sexual harassment, and nepotism against the commission and Executive Director Brown.

The ten delegation members say regardless of the investigation outcome, the five commissioners should step down.

After receiving the commission’s response to a Freedom of Information Act request lawmakers “continue to be alarmed and extremely concerned” about acts of malfeasance by some commissioners.

The indiscretions listed in the letter are as follows, “disregarded hostile work environment for the employees; blatant abuses of nepotism; approval of irresponsible compensation; ignoring multiple allegations of sexual harassment and other inappropriate conduct; lack of effective oversight; and incurred excessive litigation costs”.

The delegation members have asked for a response from the commission by September 1 at 5pm.

The delegation does not have the authority to remove commissioners.