COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - The Latest on the indictment of a South Carolina sheriff (all times local):
5:05 p.m.
A lawyer for Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis says he would have never interfered in an investigation he personally requested.
Attorney Wally Fayssoux (fuh-SOO’) says he can’t specifically answer the charges against Lewis because the indictments Tuesday against the sheriff for misconduct in office and obstruction of justice were so vague.
The indictments gave no details of what prosecutors thought were Lewis’ criminal actions.
But Fayssoux said in a statement the obstruction charge specifically made no sense because Lewis asked for a State Law Enforcement Division investigation after he was sued by a former assistant who accused Lewis of drugging her, then having sex.
Lewis admitted the affair, but says the sex was consensual.
Fayssoux says he will likely have more to say at Lewis’ arraignment Thursday.
Lewis was suspended from office after the indictments.
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11 a.m.
A South Carolina sheriff has been indicted on charges he obstructed a state investigation into his conduct and misused his office.
A grand jury handed up indictments Tuesday against Greenville County Sheriff Will Lewis. Gov. Henry McMaster immediately removed Lewis and replaced him with former sheriff Johnny Mack Brown.
The indictments gave few details, but the State Law Enforcement Division started an investigation into Lewis last year after a woman sued the sheriff, saying she was drugged and he had sex with her without her consent in a Charlotte, North Carolina, hotel room.
Lewis had hired the woman as an assistant shortly after taking office in Dec. 2016. He admitted to an affair, but said the sex was consensual.
Prosecutors say the investigation is continuing and more charges are possible.
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