Town Councilman: New Sheriff Cleaning House in Lexington Co.

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– A Lexington town councilman tells ABC Columbia news that the newly appointed Sheriff, Lewis McCarty, is cleaning house. (pkg) “I know about five of his top people who are now gone. [What are their names?] I can’t call any names.” BILL BANNING IS A LEXINGTON COUNTY COUNCILMAN AND LONG TIME PERSONAL FRIEND OF THE NEW ACTING SHERIFF, LEWIS MCCARTY. HE CLAIMS THE NEW SHERIFF, WHO CAME OUT OF RETIREMENT, IS NOW CLEANING HOUSE AT THE DEPARTMENT. 04:55:06 “I know most of the senior people there have been relieved Sheriff McCarty. He’s got to clean house and get his people in there to operate properly.” OPERATING PROPERLY SHOULD BE TOP PRIORITY, ACCORDING TO TOWN AND COUNTY OFFICIALS WHO PARTNER WITH THE DEPARTMENT. THEY SAY IN THE MIDST OF A LAW ENFORCEMENT SCANDAL THAT COULD SEND VETERAN SHERIFF JAMES METTS TO PRISON ON ALLEGATIONS OF BRIBERY AND ASSISTING ILLEGAL ALIENS, THEY WANT TO ASSIST THE NEW SHERIFF HOWEVER THEY CAN. 03:52:46 “The county has always had a good relationship with the sheriff’s department. That’s not gonna change.” 04:23:27 “We need a stable force, someone to reassure our department and the community.” I have faith and confidence he will do well in the department.