Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Faces Fine for Ethics Violations

News Summary

Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull has been fined $1,300 for ethics violations involving conflicts of interest in governmental decisions. The South Carolina Ethics Commission cited him for six counts, leading to a public reprimand. This situation ignites conversations about the importance of ethical conduct in public office. Residents are keen on demanding transparency from their elected officials as the mayor weighs his options following the commission’s ruling.

Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Faces Fine for Ethics Violations

In a surprising turn of events, Batesburg-Leesville’s own Mayor Lancer Shull has found himself in some hot water. The South Carolina Ethics Commission recently slapped him with a hefty $1,300 fine due to several violations regarding ethics and conflicts of interest. This news, which is bound to stir up conversation in the community, comes on the heels of a decision made on March 7, 2025.

What Went Down?

So, what exactly did Mayor Shull do to warrant this fine? Well, he was hit with six ethical violations. Specifically, he faced three counts each for attempting to influence a governmental decision in which he had a financial stake and for not recusing himself from those very decisions.

In addition to the fine, Shull received a public reprimand. To break down the costs, the Ethics Commission ordered him to pay $50 for each count, plus an additional administrative fee of $1,000. Ouch! That’s definitely going to pinch his pocket a bit.

A Quick Recap of Events

The saga began when Shull accepted a $250 monthly per diem while serving on the Lexington Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission since 2018. However, the town council decided to remove him from the commission on January 13, 2020, with a close vote of 5-4. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t pleased with this decision.

Just a week later, in a dramatic twist, he reportedly pressured two newly-elected council members—Cynthia Etheredge and Bob Hall—to change their votes during a special meeting. This effort paid off, as the council voted to reinstate him on January 21, 2020. Following his reinstatement, he continued to collect that monthly allowance.

Money Talks

Now, here’s where it gets even more interesting: from 2018 to 2023, Shull attended 46 commission meetings and racked up a whopping $15,000 without needing to keep track of his mileage or other expenses. Quite the lucrative gig, wouldn’t you say? Although he stopped taking the per diem in 2023, he went on record to say that he would gladly perform his duties for free.

The Fine and Its Implications

Now, back to that fine. If Mayor Shull doesn’t pay up the $1,300 fine within 60 days, it could escalate to a staggering $2,000 per count, potentially landing him with a total of $12,000 in fines. That’s something that could make any public servant think twice!

Community Concerns

This whole controversy has opened up a significant dialogue among residents regarding the potential conflicts of interest when it comes to public officials receiving stipends while voting on issues that affect their own financial interests. It seems many locals are eager to know more about how to safeguard against possible ethical pitfalls in their government.

The Road Ahead

In light of the Ethics Commission’s ruling, Shull has stated that he is currently weighing his options and, for now, has chosen not to comment further on the topic. With all eyes on the mayor and the town council, the citizens of Batesburg-Leesville are eager to see how this all plays out.

The unfolding drama presents a unique chance for local residents to scrutinize their representatives and demand transparency and accountability in their leadership. Stay tuned, Batesburg-Leesville; it looks like there’s more to come!

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Additional Resources

• The State: Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Faces Fine for Ethics Violations
• ABC Columbia: Mayor of Batesburg-Leesville Faces Ethics Complaints
• Post and Courier: Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Update
• WLTX: South Carolina Ethics Commission Ruling
• Wikipedia: Ethics in Government

Author: HERE Lexington