Palmetto State News

South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has announced the arrest of Darryl J. Floyd, a 57-year-old resident of Laurens, South Carolina. Floyd faces charges of Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult and Breach of Trust with Fraudulent Intent involving amounts valued at $10,000 or more. The arrest was carried out by the Vulnerable Adults and Medicaid Provider Fraud unit (VAMPF) and took place on December 18, 2024, at the Anderson County Detention Center.

The investigation by VAMPF revealed allegations that between October 12, 2023, and July 12, 2024, Floyd unlawfully used funds and assets belonging to a vulnerable adult. Floyd is accused of misusing his position as the victim’s power of attorney to convert these resources for personal use. The victim resided at Richard Campbell Nursing Home in Anderson during this period.

These allegations were brought to VAMPF's attention by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. The Attorney General’s Office will prosecute the case.

Under South Carolina law, Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult is classified as a felony carrying penalties of up to five years in prison or fines up to $5,000 or both upon conviction. Breach of Trust with fraudulent intent involving values over $10,000 is also a felony with potential penalties reaching up to ten years in prison or fines determined by the court.

The VAMPF holds jurisdiction over Medicaid provider fraud; abuse and neglect of Medicaid beneficiaries; and exploitation within assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

Attorney General Wilson emphasized that "all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law."

Funding for VAMPF comes primarily from federal sources. For federal fiscal year 2025, it receives 75 percent of its budget from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under a grant amounting to $2,889,252. The remaining 25 percent is funded by South Carolina totaling $963,084.