Former South Carolina elections director arrested after using state card to buy fuel, agents say
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s former election director He was arrested Friday and accused of using a government credit card to pay for more than $5,400 in gas while using a government car for personal use.
Howard Knapp, 40, was charged with embezzlement, abuse of office and eight counts of using his office for personal gain.
Knapp, who was fired last month, was also accused of being an accessory after the deputy director allegedly placed a recording device in the meeting room where the state Election Commission was meeting. Knapp’s work At a meeting held behind closed doors, according to arrest warrants.
State agents said the investigation into Knapp is ongoing.
Knapp’s attorney argued that problems with the board or others led to the trumped-up charges.
“This is all about politics. We look forward to a public hearing. See you there,” Knapp’s attorney, Joe McCullough, told reporters Friday after Knapp was released from jail on a promise to return for future court hearings.
Also arrested Friday was 41-year-old Paige Salonich, the agency’s former deputy director. Authorities said Knapp was fired for an expletive-laced outburst after hearing that he had been fired. According to an arrest warrant signed by a State Law Enforcement Division agent, he had left a recording device behind in the meeting room in an attempt to “interfere with confidential communications without consent.” His lawyer had no comment following the bail hearing.
After Knapp and Salonich were ordered out of the agency’s office, Knapp called other employees and asked for help removing the recording device from the room, agents said.
The State Election Commission issued a statement Friday saying none of the accusations against Knapp have anything to do with the integrity of the election.
At a meeting earlier this month, South Carolina Election Commission Chairman Dennis Shedd said the agency was reviewing the purchase of 3,200 ballot scanners in 2024 for about $32 million recommended by Knapp.
“We’re discovering new things the old administration did,” Shedd said
