State agents confirmed on January 9, they are investigating two allegations that the Colleton County Clerk of Court used her elected position for personal gain and interacted with the jury in the Murdaugh case.
SLED (South Carolina Law Enforcement Division) acknowledging its agents are investigating Hill for possible self-enrichment at the expense of Colleton County taxpayers, represents a significant escalation in the severity of outcomes for the clerk of court.
The allegations against Hill included in the complaint are that she used the Colleton County Courthouse to engage in commerce, misappropriated funds, neglected duties and her office to promote her book, used her position to promote her book and the book written by another journalist, and used her political office to obtain and release confidential information and materials.
Potential ramifications for Hill now rise from ethics fines to include potential criminal charges, suspension from office and even removal from office by Governor Henry McMaster should she be convicted. Hill has not been charged with any crime and remains in office.
The evidentiary hearing on Murdaugh’s request for a retrial is scheduled for Jan. 29 to Jan. 31. It has been moved out of Colleton County to Richland County as a means of avoiding conflict of interest since Hill is accused of tampering with the jury and likely will be called as a witness.
