South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced that former State Election Commission Executive Director Howard Knapp and former Deputy Director Paige Salonich have been charged with crimes related to their actions while at the agency.
The Attorney General’s Office requested the State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to investigate the matter. SLED has now brought charges, and the investigation remains ongoing.
“While everyone charged with a crime is innocent until proven guilty, no one is above the law, and we won’t stand for taxpayers being exploited,” said Attorney General Wilson.
Knapp faces charges including Accessory After the Fact, Misconduct in Office, Embezzlement of Public funds valued at less than $10,000, and eight counts of Use of Official Position or Office for Financial Gain. Salonich is charged with Wiretapping.
According to arrest warrants, before a State Election Commission meeting to terminate Knapp, Salonich placed a personal recorder in the SCEC Commissioners’ meeting room to record the proceedings. This action led to the Wiretapping charge against her. The warrants further state that Knapp later called SCEC employees to have them remove the recording device, which resulted in his charge of Accessory After the Fact.
Knapp is also charged with Misconduct in Office for allegedly using state vehicles for personal reasons. He faces Embezzlement and Use of Official Position or Office for Financial Gain charges for allegedly using public funds to purchase thousands of dollars worth of gas for the vehicles.
Both Knapp and Salonich were booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center in Richland County. The South Carolina Attorney General’s Office State Grand Jury Division will prosecute the case.
