Three Magistrates Reprimanded

This was a tough day for former and present magistrates in South Carolina. A former magistrate was publically reprimanded by consent for converting over $17,000 from a law firm where she had been employed: “A public reprimand is the most severe sanction the Court can impose when a judge no longer holds judicial office.” Another former magistrate also was the subject of a public reprimand for failing to insure that deposits of checks were made as required and that court bank accounts were reconciled on a monthly basis. He also had removed case files from his office and had taken a court-issued computer. The files and computer were eventually returned. Finally, a present magistrate was reprimanded for engaging in a consensual sexual relationship with a married employee of the county traffic court:

“In Horry County, the Chief Magistrate hires all administrative staff for the Central Traffic Court.  The magistrates rotate in and out of Central Traffic Court along with the administrative staff assigned to work in the courtroom for Central Traffic Court.  The magistrates do not know what staff will be assigned to traffic court during the weeks they preside over traffic court.  Additionally, the magistrates have no hiring, firing, or disciplinary authority over the Central Traffic Court employees.  Although the Administrative Assistant involved was not assigned to work with respondent on a regular basis, administrative assistants are randomly assigned to work in the courtroom with magistrates during traffic court sessions and, during those sessions, there is a supervisory relationship between the magistrate and administrative assistant. 

When confronted by her husband in January 2007, the Administrative Assistant admitted she had an extra-marital affair with respondent.  The husband reported the matter to the Horry County Chief Magistrate.  When the Chief Magistrate was notified of the affair, he immediately took steps to re-assign respondent so that the Administrative Assistant would not work directly for him.  The Horry County Government Human Resources Department conducted an investigation into the matter and, no finding of sexual harassment was made as a result of that investigation. “

(Mike Frisch)