Christina Allard. Christina Gatte. South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson. Adulterous Affair. Herbert Clay Carruth III. Kershaw County.
SC Politics

GOP Candidate Denies ‘Adulterous Affair’ With County Magistrate

Former prosecutor Christina Allard responds to Supreme Court filings ahead of Republican forum.

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A political newcomer vying for the South Carolina Senate has denied allegations of an extramarital affair promulgated by the immediate family of her longtime confidante and supposed paramour.

On Friday, May 31, 2024, Robert J. Butcher of The Camden Law Firm deployed a pair of complaints to the Office of Disciplinary Council (ODC), an independent division of the S.C. Supreme Court responsible for investigating and prosecuting misconduct among jurists. 

According to Butcher’s filings, S.C. Senate candidate Christina Allard, 32, confessed to an adulterous relationship with Kershaw County magistrate judge Herbert Clay Carruth III, 39, while discussing a divorce with her husband on May 30, 2024.

“I did not confess to anything,” countered Allard during a phone call on Tuesday, June 4. “It’s frustrating that I am in the position now to have to address these types of ridiculous claims … It’s really disheartening that that’s where the politics are. I am definitely seeing the nasty side.” 

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THE FRIENDSHIP …

Christina Allard. Herbert Clay Carruth III.
S.C. Senate candidate Christina Allard; Kershaw County Magistrate Herbert Clay Carruth III.

On May 29, Butcher’s ODC filings alleged that Carruth discovered GPS tracking devices alongside hidden cameras installed by private investigators supporting his wife in Carruth v. Carruth—a divorce on the purported grounds of adultery.

A tracking device was later discovered in Allard’s 2021 Jeep Wrangler and reported to deputies of the Kershaw County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). The investigation was thereupon referred to agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED), according to Allard.

“I had no idea who was tracking me,” the senatorial candidate maintained. “And I think that, unfortunately, [Herbert Clay Carruth III] is going through some personal things that I am not a part of. And I will let him speak for himself if he would like to. But I am not involved in that.”

Despite Allard’s denial, Butcher maintained that his son-in-law submitted to their adulterous affair in fall 2022 — approximately two months after S.C. 5th Circuit Solicitor Byron E. Gipson hired The Citadel graduate to work as an assistant solicitor alongside Allard in Kershaw County.

By December 9, 2022, bank transactions placed Allard and Carruth at Sam Kendall‘s restaurant before concluding their evening at Broad & Vine winery in Camden, S.C. The Friday night junket occurred while Carruth’s wife and adolescent son vacationed in North Carolina. 

Over the ensuing years, eyewitnesses have placed Allard and Carruth together at the 2023 and 2024 Carolina Cup in Camden, a five-day solicitor’s conference in Atlanta, Georgia, and at least two Citadel Bulldog football games across Charleston, S.C., and Johnson City, Tennessee. 

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“We’ve been close for years,” Allard said. “We have not been shy about our friendship. People know that we are close. That is not something that we have ever hidden. We have been good friends for a long time. And I plan to continue being good friends with him.”

Family Court filings have since accused Carruth of abandoning paternal obligations during the aforementioned timeframe. A counterclaim in Carruth v. Carruth furthermore suggested that he first exposed his adolescent son to Allard at the Steeplechase Sports Bar & Grill in Fall 2023.

“I am amazed at the hubris of both Herbert Clay Carruth [III] and Christina Allard,” Butcher wrote in a professional ethics complaint to the ODC. “I am not sure how many times it took Christina Allard to pass the bar exam, but it took Herbert Clay Carruth [III] five occasions.”

In July 2023, S.C. attorney general Alan Wilson appointed Allard as prosecutor for the State Grand Jury (SGJ) division. Within weeks of being designated an assistant attorney general, sources allege she moved out of her marital property in Elgin, S.C.

“I am going through a divorce, currently, but it’s not anything scandalous,” maintained Allard. “It got to the point where I decided that, unfortunately, I couldn’t, in good faith, bring children into that relationship. It was not a relationship that was conducive for children.”

During the remainder of her ten-month tenure with the attorney general’s office, Allard purportedly returned to her five-year marriage at her leisure. Sources contend Allard would cease communication with her husband for upwards of eight weeks at a time.

On January 30, 2024, governor Henry McMaster appointed Carruth as Kershaw County magistrate. He thereupon ended his nine-year marriage which compelled his wife and adolescent child to abandon the Carruth family estate at 304 Kirkwood Lane in Camden.

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THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL …

Christina Allard. South Carolina State Senate. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Christie Allard’s 2021 Jeep Wrangler at the Carruth family estate on May 25, 2024. (Provided)

On April Fools’ Day, Allard filed as a Republican candidate for S.C. Senate District 35. The state prosecutor thereafter arrived at her marital home in Elgin and announced her intent to divorce, according to sources familiar with the estrangement.

ODC and family court filings have since suggested Carruth remains intimately involved in Allard’s senatorial campaign. Litigators supporting his wife have furthermore accused the magistrate of electioneering alongside his supposed paramour.

An excerpt from his wife’s counterclaim in Carruth v. Carruth reads as follows:

“Despite … attempts to increase [Carruth’s] time with the party’s minor child, [Carruth] has refused these offers and instead used his free time to spend with his paramour, assist her in electioneering for her state senate campaign, and has preferred socializing and carousing.”

Butcher alleged that his son-in-law has attended at least seven campaign events as Allard’s escort. FITSNews has since been provided with 15 photographs of Carruth and Allard at campaign locations, including The Catery on Broad in Camden and The Restaurant at Second Mill in Sumter, S.C.

Constituents have since provided the author with videos of Allard driving Carruth’s 2020 Ford F-150 King Ranch from a meet-and-greet on May 18, 2024. Another video purportedly captured Carruth kissing Allard through the window of her Jeep that evening.

“The kissing video is not meant to offer any evidence of the adultery as that is being adjudicated in the family court,” wrote Butcher to the ODC. “It does go towards the credibility of Herbert Clay Carruth [III], who has maintained that he has not committed adultery.”

Friday’s ODC complaints furthermore condemned the magistrate for supposedly distributing Allard’s campaign material in-district. His constituents have gone so far as to record him and Allard installing senatorial banners on or about Black River Road in Kershaw County.

“I have been transparent through my entire campaign,” maintained Allard. “I mean, it’s so blatantly obvious that this was intended to harass and embarrass one week ahead of the primary … It must mean that I’m a threat, right?”

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Christina Allard. South Carolina State Senate. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
A Christina Allard campaign banner near the Carruth family estate in Camden, S.C. (Andrew Fancher/FITSNews)

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The author has since driven to the Carruth family estate in Uptown Camden and noted the presence of an approximate 4’ x 8’ campaign banner on Dicey Creek Road, followed by an approximate 24” x 18” campaign sign near the property’s entrance on Kirkwood Lane.

“Christina Allard is the paramour of the Herbert Clay Carruth [III],” wrote Butcher to the ODC candidly. “While Herbert Clay Carruth [III] may blame his mother for putting Christina Allard signs on [their] property where he lives, his mother does not live there.”

Of interest? S.C. Appellate Court Rules (SCACR) expressly prohibit judges from improprieties enumerated in the state’s Code of Judicial Conduct—which vociferously demands that jurists act to promote public confidence in the impartiality of the state’s judiciary.

“A judge shall not lend the prestige of judicial office to advance the private interest of the judge or others,” reads commentary prescribed under Canon 2(B), Rule 501, SCARC. “Judges should distinguish between proper and improper use of the prestige of office in all of their activities.”

Per his ODC complaint, Butcher suggested that his son-in-law has been violating Canon 2 by campaigning alongside Allard since April Fools’ Day — thus violating impartiality and ethical standards prescribed under Canon 4, Rule 501, SCARC, and Canon 5, Rule 501, SCARC.

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THE INTIMIDATION …

Christina Allard. South Carolina State Senate. Attorney General Alan Wilson.
Herbert Clay Carruth III‘s note to Christina Allard on or about May 13, 2024; Allard on April Fools’ Day 2024.

In his second ODC filing, Butcher successively accused Allard of violating Rule 8.4, Rule 407, SCARC, which punctuates that it’s professional misconduct for a lawyer to knowingly assist a judge in violating rules set forth by SCARC.

“Christina Allard has presented herself … as a highly competent and ethical attorney who singlehandedly brought down the drug cartels,” submitted Butcher. “She is just as responsible for knowing the Code of Judicial Conduct as she is the Rules of Professional Conduct.”

Come May 29, litigators supporting the magistrate’s wife in Carruth v. Carruth deployed spoliation letters to preserve supposed evidence of adultery to Carruth, Allard, attorney general Wilson, solicitor Gipson, Kershaw County Sheriff Lee Boan and Clerk of Court Janet C. Hasty, among others.

An excerpt from the litigators’ spoliation letter reads as follows:

“You are included in this letter because you are a party essential witness, or you or your organization controls data related to the litigation in this matter … the adulterous relationship between Herbert Clay Carruth [III] and Christina Allard from October 2022 to the present.”

At 1:30 p.m. EST the following afternoon, Butcher reported that his son-in-law accosted him outside his magisterial office as he filed certificates of service for an unrelated legal matter at the Kershaw County Courthouse. Three KCSO deputies were purportedly present.

“Herbert Clay Carruth [III] is a large man, and I certainly would never consider getting involved in a physical confrontation,” reported Butcher to the ODC. “I was afraid for my personal safety as he continued his tirade about the family court litigation involving his adultery.”

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Come 5:14 p.m. EST, Allard texted the following message to her husband which reads, in part:

“SLED is investigating the entire ordeal … At this point, I have asked that you not be charged criminally for trying to blackmail me but I cannot guarantee where this case will go. I suggest you tell your pal to stop … before people end up in jail. This does not have to be ugly.”

Accordingly, Butcher submitted Allard’s text message to the ODC and accused her of violating Rule 4.5, Rule 407, SCARC, which expressly prohibits lawyers from threatening to present criminal charges to obtain legal advantages in civil litigation.

“I was trying to warn him about Robert Butcher,” countered Allard on Tuesday. “It became an entire, crazy event where I felt like I owed it to him … to warn him, ‘Hey, SLED’s investigating because lines have been crossed here and there’s criminal activity. Just stay out.’”

Butcher has since accused Carruth of violating Canon 1, Rule 501, SCARC for purportedly accosting him within the Kershaw County Courthouse on May 30. He has furthermore deployed subpoenas for courthouse surveillance and KCSO body-worn camera (BWC) video.

“That’s what [Butcher] does,” concluded Allard. “I have not been contacted by ODC. As far as I know, ODC is not even concerned with this. They’re not opening an investigation into it at this point because there’s no validity to it … I am frustrated that this is what it has come to.”

At 6:30 p.m. EST on Thursday, June 6, the Sumter County GOP will host an open candidate forum at the Restaurant at 2nd Mill on 2390 Broad Street. Approximately eight candidates across Senate District 35, Senate District 36 and House District 6 are expected to participate.

Carruth remains unavailable for comment.

UPDATE | On Thursday, June 6, 2024, Christina Allard was served a subpoena by The Camden Law Firm to surrender all text messages and media relating to her purportedly adulterous affair with Kershaw County Magistrate Herbert Clay Carruth III.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Andrew Fancher. Hurricane Helene. Buncombe County. North Carolina. FEMA. Federal Emergency Management Agency. Roy Cooper.
Andrew Fancher in Mitchell County, N.C.
(Dynal Nolan/FITSNews)

Andrew Fancher is a Lone Star Emmy award-winning journalist from Dallas, Texas. Cut from a bloodline of outlaws and lawmen alike, he was the first of his family to graduate college which was accomplished with honors. Got a story idea or news tip for Andy? Email him directly and connect with him socially across Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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26 comments

Jill Wamsley June 5, 2024 at 3:35 pm

She is flat-out lying. She stated to her own husband, my son, that she is committing adultery with Clay. This isn’t about being a woman or about politics. She committed adultery.

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Morgan B June 6, 2024 at 5:23 pm

I heard your grandson is being investigated by the police?

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J Doe June 5, 2024 at 6:10 pm

Another poorly written Fancher article. It never makes clear Butcher’s relationship to this whole mess until near the end, although it alludes to a connection throughout.

Also, these complaints to ODC are ticky-tack bullshit. They are also supposed to be confidential. Whoever provided these to Fancher is violating ethics rules if that person has is an attorney.

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Jill Allard Top fan June 5, 2024 at 8:06 pm

Love it when it’s a John Doe. How about your name?

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JustSomeGuy Top fan June 5, 2024 at 6:11 pm

I am really ashamed of myself for reading this tabloid garbage.

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What Did You Expect? June 6, 2024 at 8:16 am

What site are you on?

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John June 5, 2024 at 6:43 pm

Gossipy and crap story; however highlights how much the SC judiciary needs an overhaul- ODC being used as a public stake in the ground for political and or personal reasons. Someone saved a dime on half truther lawyers, PR content pedllers, etc.

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Jill Allard Top fan June 5, 2024 at 8:17 pm

I wish more people have access to this article! It is sad and yes gossip, but do we want to know who is actually running for office? When I read Chirstina’s Bio and answers they are so untrue. This is the problem with our youth, they believe a year in a job makes them ready for the next step. She has little real life experience. This affair is the least of our trouble with electing her to represent us. She has gone from place to place and never really set roots in any community. If she really loves it in South Carolina and Camden she will settle in, serve as a prosecutor for a much longer time (which she is really good at) and get a better feel for what this area actually needs. A few years does not make you ready to represent the area’s needs. My concern here is that she has had, at least, extremely poor judgement. Why not wait to run for office, if this is what you really want to do, and make some roots in the area. My advice to Christina, own your mistakes and move on. We will all respect you more in the future.

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Jeff Mattox Top fan June 5, 2024 at 8:23 pm

This appears to be a sad story of how a superwoman realizes her super powers and that they can be used to take a bite out of crime but finds she is burdened with a ordinary mortal man. After she single handedly destroyed the cartel in a mere 10 months at the AG’s office she realized her powers must be realized to save us all from the alphabet agencies.
We should all praise her for sacrificing a normal life to be a strong voice for American values. Her values. Our values. Your values. Vote Allard for America.

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Jill Allard Top fan June 5, 2024 at 8:29 pm

You have no idea

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Anna Hamilton Top fan June 6, 2024 at 12:21 am

So…just to make sure I’m clear on the facts…(1) Allard and her husband have been separated since July 2023 and there has been no divorce filing based on adultery; (2) Carruth and his wife have been separated for over a year and he filed for no-fault divorce two weeks ago based on the year of separation; (3) the allegations of adultery you’re publishing are coming from Robert Butcher, the attorney of Carruth’s estranged wife, who also happens to be her father and Carruth’s father-in-law (as well as someone widely considered by his fellow members of the Bar to be an absolute scumbag); (4) disgusting signs have been posted throughout the district calling Allard names in connection with the adultery allegations that, again, Robert Butcher is the only one making; (5) these allegations are being made by Robert Butcher one week before the primary in which Allard is running against the husband of Butcher’s paralegal; and (6) you’re actually giving this garbage a platform. The only story here is Butcher’s shameful use of the legal process and the Office of Disciplinary Counsel to pursue his personal grudge. If you want to be a tabloid, own it and stop pretending you have standards.

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J Doe June 6, 2024 at 6:27 am

Boom. You hit the mail on the head.

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Donald Barasso June 10, 2024 at 10:29 am

You seem to know a lot about this. It crazy how Carruth’s wife forced him to get involved in this political campaign. Oh wait. Its funny how you have all these dates of “proof” but no actual proof. Are you going to accuse Carruths wife and Allards husband of being Russian disinformation agents next? I get your his ex and you still love him but he’s not going back to you, even if you send him those “nice” pictures.

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Anna Hamilton Top fan June 12, 2024 at 12:52 am

…I know the dates that are in this article and in the public filings that are referenced in this article. If you’re saying that I shouldn’t be relying on anything in this article as fact, though, I’m definitely open to that argument!

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AC Top fan June 6, 2024 at 7:08 am

In all people should feel bad for his child. He’s a POS if he is neglecting his child no matter what is going on in his marriage. As far as Allard she’s a typical narcissist and I’m sure the good magistrate may want to take a quick trip to the health department.

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Carla Top fan June 6, 2024 at 7:46 am

So…just to make sure I’m clear on the facts…you are the same Anna Hamilton who is Clay’s ex girlfriend who was sending pictures of your cleavage to Clay and saying “I miss you” after he was married? Great standards, Anna. Wondering if you are just wishing you are Allard. You’re an attorney in Greenville, you should understand Carruth’s wife and Allard’s husband are the ones making the allegations, not Robert Butcher.

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SCLaw9823 Top fan June 6, 2024 at 3:10 pm

Oh look! Baseless allegations of a sexual nature designed to discredit a woman who makes a point! Seems like I’ve seen that somewhere before…

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Anna Hamilton Top fan June 8, 2024 at 7:35 pm

Aw. Hi, Jennifer. You know, years ago I honestly thought your crippling insecurity and paranoid delusions about Clay’s friends were a product of your age. But here they are again, years later. It must be KILLING you that you can’t control who he speaks to anymore! (Seriously, for your son’s sake, it’s probably time to get a handle on whatever you’ve got going on.)

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Jesus Wept June 6, 2024 at 8:15 am

Family values!

What more could you expect from the party of the convicted felon who cheated on his wife with a porn star and tried to cover it up?

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Randy Bagwell Top fan June 10, 2024 at 2:02 pm

You need Jesus obviously, as well as we all do. Hiding your name, oh how brave!

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Morgan B June 6, 2024 at 5:18 pm

Oh mommy and daddy to the rescue of poor manic Jennifer. Will her “daddy’s” law degree help her not get committed again? The good news is if Jennifer’s adopted father (adopted at 32) can’t help her Bradys mommies and daddies will help by posting online

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Bsmith1970 Top fan June 6, 2024 at 6:52 pm

Is Jennifer Carruth’s wife? Hell hath no fury like a paramour scorned. Allard, could that be you posting as Morgan B?

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Morgan B June 7, 2024 at 7:27 am

Ah yes because Allard would be the only one to hate Jennifer

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Bsmith1970 Top fan June 6, 2024 at 6:47 pm

It sounds like Allard has chosen to act with malice and deceit to meet her own needs and for personal gain. I would assume these negative traits are not isolated to her romantic life. She has potentially devastated the world of a mother and child (and her own husband) and now some people are choosing to overlook this and blame their spouses’ families? It would seem that the family (Carruth’s wife/Allard’s husband) have every right to bring forth this information to the public. It doesn’t seem right to expect the families to be aware of these actions and then not enlighten the public. Not her husband, not our morals, not fit for senate. Is she not attempting to also represent them if within the district? Maybe if she develops some healthy boundaries, self-control, and empathy in the future she could run again. She does not possess the qualities of someone fit to lead at this time. Not only that, but a leader takes responsibility for their actions/wrongdoing. We don’t need someone content with lying and cover-ups.
Her actions matter, she is the one attempting to run for a position aimed to represent others. Anyone defending her and blasting the victims/their representatives in this matter seems like a troll with motives to deflect and redirect the blame. A tactic we have all probably seen in other matters. It is just sad.
She hasn’t even been elected and she is already lying to the people. Not a good start.

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Katie Guinn June 9, 2024 at 7:04 pm

Another attack on a remarkable young lady’s character motivated by hatred and jealously. Let’s look at the factual information about Christina Allard. She has actively taken drug dealers and drugs off the streets of Kershaw County and South Carolina. She has spent her career protecting this community and the rights of citizens here. THOSE are FACTS.

This article is disgusting. Shame on you Fancher for writing and publishing. I wish you’d investigate the source of these rumors and publish what you find.

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Clinton Davis Top fan June 10, 2024 at 10:04 am

I understand that Allard has been accused of being involved with a married man, but what I feel like is the biggest problem here is that she illegally involved a magistrate judge with her political campaign. If she is this great attorney that has done such great things for her community then why did she feel she was above the law in this case? I feel like the bigger story is getting lost. We don’t need another politician that believes they are above the law. We have enough of that, thanks.

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