SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – Former Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright appeared in federal court Wednesday to face charges including misuse of public funds and wire fraud conspiracy. He previously agreed to plead guilty to those charges.
Wright, who led one of South Carolina’s largest sheriff’s offices, is accused of stealing money from the agency’s benevolence fund and using it to purchase illegal opioids. He also allegedly kept an acquaintance on the payroll with an inflated salary despite a lack of official duties.
“The Chuck Wright era is now over in Spartanburg County,” said Spartanburg County Councilman Monier Abusaft.
Former Spartanburg Co. Sheriff Chuck Wright enters the federal courthouse in Greenville, S.C., October 27, 2025 (WSPA Photo)
Federal court filings accuse Wright of misusing the sheriff’s office’s benevolence fund, a source intended to help deputies in times of loss or crisis. Documents state he used the money to buy illegal opioids and took pills collected through a drug take-back program.
In addition to the federal charges, Wright faces a state ethics probe with more than 60 charges filed over his use of a county credit card. Documents from the State Ethics Commission show Wright spent over $17,000 in county funds on personal items over the past five years, including phone apps, games, supplements, medication, food, ammunition and even guitar lessons.
State prosecutors are considering whether to file charges against Wright, and Attorney General Alan Wilson has appointed 10th Circuit Solicitor Micah Black to determine if the state will prosecute.
Wright resigned in May, citing health reasons. The sheriff’s office’s former chaplain Amos Durham and another employee, L.B. Watson, have also agreed to plead guilty to related federal charges.
Wright appeared in federal court on Monday, Oct. 27, where his bond was set at $25,000.
He is expected to return on Thursday, Oct. 30, to formally enter his guilty plea, with sentencing likely to occur in the coming months.
A hearing for the 65 state ethics charges is set for mid-February.
