Dispute Breaks Out in Horry County: Whistleblower Takes Stand Against Alleged Fraud

News Summary

A former procurement specialist, Lauren Demasi, has filed a lawsuit alleging misconduct in Horry County government, including wrongful termination, defamation, and procurement fraud. Demasi discovered discrepancies in finances related to county expenditures. Following her whistleblowing, several employees were terminated, and she faced pressure to resign. After her departure, damaging rumors about her involvement in a cult circulated, which are now part of her lawsuit seeking justice. The ongoing situation raises questions about the integrity of the local governance.

Dispute Breaks Out in Horry County: Whistleblower Takes Stand Against Alleged Fraud

In the bustling community of Horry County, a storm is brewing as a former procurement specialist has filed a lawsuit alleging wide-ranging misconduct within the county government. The brave whistleblower, Lauren Demasi, who previously worked for Horry County, is raising serious allegations including wrongful termination, defamation, and potential procurement fraud that could shake the foundation of local governance.

The Background

Lauren Demasi joined Horry County’s procurement team in September 2021. She eagerly embraced her role and even gained a promotion by April 2024. Her responsibilities included overseeing procurement projects at the Myrtle Beach International Airport, where she worked just one day a week. However, her time there took a dramatic turn when she stumbled upon a worrying situation in May or June 2024.

The Discovery

While reviewing financial records, Demasi discovered a concerning trend – discrepancies in a spreadsheet of expenses that revealed purchases being made by the Horry County Magistrates and Solicitor’s Offices. Alarmingly, items were being delivered to addresses that appeared to not belong to county properties. It was said that some of these purchases included extravagant items such as golf equipment and large-screen televisions, delivered directly to the home addresses of county employees. This raised significant questions about the use of public funds and whether they were being misappropriated.

Internal Alarm Bells

Feeling uneasy about the potential fraud, Demasi and some colleagues convened a meeting to voice their concerns. This discussion highlighted the significant risk of fraud in procurement, and they worried that their voices might go unheard by county officials. In a twist of fate, one of her coworkers, Tara Chestnut-Smith, recorded this meeting without informing the others and later submitted the recording to the Human Resources Department.

The Fallout

Following this meeting, a wave of terminations hit those who were involved, with several employees losing their jobs seemingly as a retaliatory measure. Unfazed, Demasi decided to take her concerns seriously and filed a written report to her supervisors about the questionable procurement practices. Unfortunately, her whistleblowing efforts didn’t go unnoticed, and soon thereafter, she faced pressure from Horry County officials to resign due to misleading claims regarding her eligibility for unemployment benefits.

The Resignation

On June 18, 2024, Demasi made the difficult decision to resign. It was only after her departure that she learned she could have been eligible for unemployment benefits had she been fired without cause. Attempting to rectify the situation, Demasi sought to file a grievance but found out that her resignation stripped her of the rights necessary to proceed.

Defamation Allegations

As if the situation couldn’t get more complicated, it has been reported that following her resignation, county HR officials spread damaging rumors claiming Demasi had been dismissed due to alleged involvement in a cult. Such accusations have compounded her distress and played a significant role in her lawsuit, where she seeks a jury trial and compensation for the damages she has suffered.

Ongoing Developments

The Horry County Government has remained tight-lipped regarding the allegations and the ongoing litigation. Notably, Demasi isn’t the only former employee to take a stand; another individual, Jessica Williams, has also filed a lawsuit against the county with similar allegations of wrongful termination and defamation. The unfolding saga leads many to wonder how deeply the alleged fraud runs and what the implications might be for public trust moving forward.

The drama brewing in Horry County is far from over, and residents are left in a state of anticipation as they watch how these legal battles unfold. What started as a job in procurement could now potentially expose a much broader issue of mismanagement and ethical dilemmas within the county.

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Additional Resources

• WPDE: Horry County Employee Files Lawsuit
• WMBF News: Lawsuit Claims Fraudulent Use of Funds
• Count On 2: Investigation of Purchase Card Fraud
• Post and Courier: Horry County Fraud Spending Lawsuit
• My Horry News: Tackling Fraud and Waste in Schools
• Wikipedia: Fraud
• Google Search: Horry County fraud
• Google Scholar: Procurement Fraud
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Wrongful Termination
• Google News: Horry County Lawsuit