SPARTANBURG, SC – Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Wright and two former associates have pleaded guilty to federal charges stemming from a years-long corruption scheme that siphoned public funds and included the misuse of prescription narcotics.
Federal prosecutors said Wright, 60, along with former department chaplain Amos Durham, 61, and former employee Lawson B. Watson, 63, conspired to defraud the county and abuse their positions of trust.
Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain accepted the pleas and will sentence all three men after reviewing federal pre-sentencing reports.
Key Points
- Former Sheriff Charles “Chuck” Wright admits to federal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, and obtaining narcotics by misrepresentation
- Wright and co-defendants accused of stealing from the Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund and authorizing fraudulent payroll payments
- FBI and SLED led joint investigation; sentencing to follow after federal review
Years of fraud tied to county benevolence fund
According to court filings, the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office Chaplain’s Benevolence Fund was designed to support deputies facing hardship, including financial crises and on-duty trauma. Investigators said Wright and Durham, who served as director of the fund, conspired to divert its resources for personal gain.
Prosecutors also said Wright allowed longtime employee Watson to collect a full salary and benefits totaling about $200,000 between 2021 and 2025 for work he never performed. Wright hired Watson in 2005 and continued approving fraudulent timesheets for years, officials said.
Misuse of narcotics program
In addition to the financial crimes, Wright admitted to obtaining 147 oxycodone and hydrocodone pills through misrepresentation. Prosecutors said Wright falsely claimed the pills were being collected for the department’s narcotics “take back” program but instead kept them for personal use.
Maximum penalties and federal oversight
Wright pleaded guilty to three counts — conspiracy to commit theft concerning federally funded programs, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and obtaining controlled substances by misrepresentation. He faces up to 29 years in prison and fines totaling as much as $750,000, plus restitution and supervision following any sentence.
Durham and Watson each pleaded guilty to single counts related to conspiracy and wire fraud. They face maximum penalties of five and 20 years respectively, along with fines and restitution.
Investigators denounce breach of public trust
U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling called the crimes “a betrayal of law enforcement families,” saying, “No one is above the law, especially those who wear the badge.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Kevin Moore said the defendants “held positions of power but chose to abuse the public’s trust,” emphasizing that federal agents will pursue accountability “no matter who they are or where they serve.”
SLED Chief Mark Keel and Solicitor Micah Black both credited the joint state-federal investigation for exposing the corruption, noting that the outcome “reaffirms that misconduct in positions of public trust will meet the full force of the law.”
Sentencing dates for Wright, Durham, and Watson have not yet been scheduled.