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South Carolina sheriff Charles “Chuck” Wright Jr. is the subject of an “active and ongoing” criminal investigation, according to sources familiar with the inquiry.
First elected in 2004, Wright spent two decades sidestepping allegations of corruption and authoritarianism. But the sheriff’s legacy took a dramatic turn on July 1, 2024, when he swore in his second-born son, Jared “Andy” Wright, as a deputy.
Despite a controversial tenure with the Duncan Police Department (DPD), Andy Wright received a standing ovation upon his appointment — even as deputies of the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) quipped that his father was “the only cop stupid enough to hire him.”
“Andy was appointed to a ‘special team’ for highway interdiction, a highly sought after position,” noted a source familiar with SCSO. “Records should also reflect that he is the only part-time deputy… Just about anyone beyond a normal patrol deputy is corrupt, it seems.”
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? #BREAKING: South Carolina Sheriff Charles “Chuck" Wright is the subject of an “active and ongoing” criminal investigation, according to sources familiar with the probe.
— Andrew Fancher (@RealAndyFancher) February 7, 2025
? Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office (#SCSO)
Already being investigated by the S.C. State Ethics… pic.twitter.com/VpkSGoGz8n
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Alleged ineptitude aside, Andy Wright’s hiring wasn’t just controversial — it was potentially illegal. As first reported by FITSNews, the sheriff’s nepotism may have violated the S.C. Ethics Reform Act, which triggered a civil investigation by the S.C. State Ethics Commission (SCSEC).
“Hadn’t heard anything,” sheriff Wright claimed when questioned about the probe during an unrelated press conference this week. “I’m letting (SCSEC) do their ‘thorough’ investigation and I won’t make any comments until they get through with their inquiry. But I’m fully cooperating…”
While the status of the SCSEC investigation remains unclear — with the agency neither confirming nor denying the existence of the probe — Wright has largely withdrawn from his usual spotlight amid what some deputies are calling the “complete implosion” of his department.
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RELATED | SPARTANBURG SHERIFF SILENT AMID ETHICS PROBE
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A recent lawsuit filed by former SCSO first lieutenant Jeremy Byrd claims he raised concerns about “the appearance of impropriety, potential nepotism, and preferential treatment” following Andy Wright’s hiring — only to face swift retaliation, wrongful termination and defamation at the hands of his sheriff.
Amid growing scrutiny over Andy’s appointment, his father allegedly accused Byrd of saying, “the wrong man won the election.” While Byrd denied making the statement, his lawsuit claims he was subjected to a Garrity warning, a polygraph test and was ultimately fired.
Following his ouster, the sheriff is said to have labeled him a “mole,” telling fellow deputies he had “found the mole.”
Within days of Byrd’s firing, FITSNews confirmed retired SCSO Sergeant Robert Allan Wood had abused taxpayer-funded time and resources to view, download and distribute hardcore pornography — including bestiality — while on duty.
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RELATED | SPARTANBURG SHERIFF SILENT AMID PORN PROBE
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According to email records, Wood’s distribution list included ten Criminal Investigations Division (CID) members, three Special Services Division (SSD) members, and at least one Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office employee — none of whom reported the deluge of content.
Despite the severity of his pornographic malfeasance, Wood was allowed to retire in November 2023 after forty years at SCSO — unlike Byrd, who was allegedly fired for “insubordination” less than two months after Andy’s appointment.
“Including (Byrd), Chuck has terminated six good people for no just cause,” added Russell Lynch, a former SCSO corporal and 2016 sheriff’s candidate. “Thank God (Byrd) had the balls to do something about it… now Chuck’s rewriting policies to cover his ass.”
After Byrd’s lawsuit made headlines for alleging wrongful termination, Wright purportedly emailed deputies on February 5, 2025, about a newly amended policy — one permitting automatic expulsions over “friendships and associations” he deems “inappropriate.”
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“Yet his relationship with Andy isn’t in question,” countered Brittney Duncan, the wife of former SCSO investigator and 2024 sheriff’s candidate Nick Duncan. “A policy this vague and subjective isn’t about professionalism; it’s about control.”
Hours after announcing the new policy, the sheriff faced reporters at a press conference originally intended to discuss arrests in a series of storage unit break-ins. When pressed about Byrd’s lawsuit, he dismissed it outright, calling it “a non—it’s a non-issue lawsuit.”
But as the sheriff downplayed one scandal, another had already prompted county intervention.
Last September, The (Charleston, S.C.) Post and Courier revealed that between 2017 and 2024, Wright had charged $53,600 to his county-funded credit card—spending taxpayer money on Apple products, Amazon Prime memberships, SiriusXM subscriptions, and other questionable purchases.
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RELATED | SPARTANBURG SHERIFF SILENT AMID LAWSUIT
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When Spartanburg County Council confronted him about the frivolous spending, the paper reported that he claimed he “mistakenly used his county card when he should have used his personal card. It was just an oversight on his part, not something he meant to do.”
County council later recommended Wright be subjected to the same rules and restrictions that govern the county’s purchasing cards—known as P-cards.
The turmoil didn’t stop there, though. In December 2024, former SCSO Deputy Avery Dean Hand was arrested by agents of the S.C. Law Enforcement Division (SLED). According to arrest warrants, the 29-year-old had unlawfully shared information regarding an active homicide case.
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As SCSO’s barrage of bad press intensified, rumors of a “federal” investigation into the sheriff began to swirl. FITSNews has since confirmed the existence of an active law enforcement inquiry, though sources have declined to disclose its exact scope.
“Yet another black eye inflicted by Chuck Wright,” concluded Lynch. “This investigation is long overdue. And I can only hope it finally forces Wright into doing the right thing for his deputies and his constituents.”
Neither state nor federal agencies have publicly acknowledged the investigation.
As for Wright, he remains unavailable for comment.
This story may be updated.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
(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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2 comments
Stuff has been going on for years but the trailer dwellers in Spartanburg keep electing him. He’s like some kind of deity to them
It really does sound like a cult. Not just the “trailer dwellers” though…lots of folks seem to be in “tight” socially with him, from higher income areas, making excuses for him. Lots of ethical gymnastics on the local “neighborhood” forums from folks in very non-trailer neighborhoods, claiming this is a witchhunt, “it was a mistake that he mixed up two credit cards”, “but he got reelected”, etc. I cannot believe how many people are making excuses for him…especially considering the crime rates, unsolved crimes, can’t even update their Web page, “investigating” crimes by posting still images and little info on their Facebook page, etc.
The Spartanburg County Council should be investigated as well. How did the credit card issues go on for so long? The rumor is that the County is not asking Wright to repay the personal expenses from the County card. #Fitsnews, is that true?