ABBEVILLE, S.C. —
In the City of Abbeville, questions are arising after council received code of ethics complaints about elected officials or city employees. This comes as the mayor of Abbeville says there is a lack of transparency within the town concerning documents.
Abbeville Mayor Trey Edwards says he is pushing for a fair review, and he believes he is being retaliated against.
"There were some questionable things that I've noticed in town," Edwards said.
Edwards told WYFF News 4, he cannot share the full details but says he handed documents over to S.C. Law Enforcement Division and S.C. Labor Licensing Regulation. SLED confirmed with WYFF 4 they are reviewing the matter; however, they could not elaborate.
"I can tell you that it involves public officials and contractors and some council members," Edwards said.
The mayor recused himself at the beginning of Wednesday's council meeting. He says what was discussed in executive session is a retaliation against him by some council members and city-hired contractors.
"I don't think council is retaliating against him," said Abbeville City Councilman Matt Gambrell.
Listed on the meeting agenda under executive session were the words "investigative proceeding or allegations of violation, and code of ethics complaint against elected official or city employee."
Gambrell also recused himself from one of the items voted on after executive session.
"One of the ethic complaints were about a business that my wife and I started a couple of months ago," Gambrell said.
There were three items voted on from executive session. For each item, council voted that there was enough evidence to proceed with a hearing. The hearings have to happen within 30 days, according to the city's hired attorney.
Mayor Pro Tem Annette Faye Thomas says while a lot isn't being shared right now, citizens should have trust.
"They can have confidence in their council persons because we are working diligently to do the right thing," Thomas said.
Meanwhile, the mayor says citizens should be asking elected officials questions.
"They should be interested in knowing what's happening with their tax dollars," Edwards said.
WYFF News 4 reached out to the Labor Licensing Regulation, and we are still waiting to hear back.