WHEREAS, Ann Hughes is the Oconee County Supervisor; and

WHEREAS, the Grand Jury of Oconee County indicted Ms. Hughes on May 20, 2003, on three counts of embezzlement of public funds; and

WHEREAS, certified true copies of the indictments against Ms. Hughes have been provided to me; and

WHEREAS, the indictments against Ms. Hughes include charges of the unlawful misuse of county funds for private purposes; and

WHEREAS, as Governor of the State of South Carolina, I am mindful of the duties and responsibilities vested in me by the Constitution and Laws of the State; and

WHEREAS, Article VI, Section 8 of the South Carolina Constitution provides that: "Whenever it appears to the satisfaction of the Governor that probable cause exists to charge any officer of the State or its political subdivisions who has the custody of public or trust funds with embezzlement or the appropriation of public or trust funds to private use, then the Governor shall direct his immediate prosecution by the proper officer, and upon indictment by a grand jury or, upon the waiver of such indictment if permitted by law, the Governor shall suspend such officer and appoint one in his stead, until he shall have been acquitted. In case of conviction, the position shall be declared vacant and the vacancy filled as may be provided by law."

NOW, THEREFORE, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of South Carolina, I hereby suspend Ann Hughes from the office of Oconee County Supervisor. This suspension shall remain in effect until such time as she shall be formally acquitted or convicted.

FURTHER, I hereby appoint Harry R. Hamilton of Seneca, South Carolina, to serve as interim Oconee County Supervisor until the indictments against Ms. Hughes have been resolved.

This action in no manner addresses the question of the guilt or innocence of Ms. Hughes and should not be construed as an expression of any opinion one way or another on such question.

This Order shall take effect immediately.

GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND THE GREAT SEAL OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THIS 20th DAY OF MAY, 2003

MARK SANFORD
Governor

Last Updated: Tuesday, July 7, 2009 at 11:13 A.M.