Jasper County Clash: Treasurer and Council Face Off in Heated Bonus Dispute

JASPER COUNTY, S.C. — Under scrutiny from two ongoing SLED investigations, Jasper County Treasurer Michael Skinner addressed the county council on Monday for the first time since the inquiries were made public.

Skinner sought the council’s retroactive approval for bonuses he had already distributed to his staff, a move that bypassed the council’s initial consent.

Tensions quickly escalated during the meeting.

“Is the method you’re using legal under South Carolina law?” the council inquired of Skinner.

Skinner responded, “I believe so. Am I on trial now or is this…”

“No, I’m asking questions,” explained the council.

Skinner responded, “I have been referred to a criminal investigation. So, if I’m going to answer questions like that… Are you SLED?”

That comment led John Kemp, council chairman, to angrily address his treasurer.

“You don’t have to be a smart a**,” said Kemp.

Skinner said, “I’m standing up here for you to consider this resolution. I don’t want to punish my employees for our disagreements.”

“They will not be,” Kemp answered.

Skinner said, “They worked hard for the county. I’m asking you to please pass this resolution.”

The council eventually ended discussion. When a vote was called for, none was taken and the request for the county bonus approval failed.

Jasper County forwarded allegations that Skinner inappropriately spent county funds to SLED on Dec. 9. This investigation was opened Dec. 15.

On Dec. 8, an initial investigation began concerned a threatening message sent vie the Telegram app, allegedly by Skinner. In that message, Skinner said he “wanted to empty five clips into those people.”

He continued, “I’d feel nothing but recoil and the profound sense that something good finally happened in this f-hole”.

That threat was directed at members of the third-floor staff, a small staff which includes the county clerk and county administrator.

Monday, the council listened to Skinner’s request, and then Kemp offered his own opinions on Skinner’s conduct now and in the past, leading to more sparring.

“If you wanted to keep your mouth shut, this would have been all taken care of,” said Kemp. “But you didn’t. You decided to do it yourself. And that’s the problem. You did it yourself. You didn’t want to work with the system.”

“And you..” interrupted Skinner.

“Stop I don’t even want to hear what you say anymore,” Kemp snapped.

“That’s been apparent for about a year now,” Skinner responded.

Kemp said, “You think you want a rule, but when you don’t want to follow it, you do something different. And I’ll tell you, these council people have really, really tried to help you and nothing. Tonight. I think they were kind to you. I’m not because I’m tired.”

Sources tell News 3’s Andrew Davis this is not the first time financial concerns have surfaced in the Jasper County treasurer’s office. SLED opened the second investigation Monday.

Michael Skinner is still employed by Jasper County and has not been criminally charged by any agency.

will continue to update this story as details become available.

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