CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — Controversial former Charleston City Councilman Harry Griffin faces 39 charges related to campaign financial violations from the South Carolina Ethics Commission, including accusations that he funneled money from campaign accounts to a personal account, according to a complaint obtained by News 4.
Griffin’s alleged misdeeds span from 2017 to 2021. During that time, Griffin was on the city council and announced he intended to run for mayor.
Griffin is facing the following ethics charges:
If found guilty, Griffin faces the possibility of administrative action, disciplinary action, public reprimand, ordered restitution, and a civil penalty of not more than $2,000.
Should the state Ethics Commission fine him for each count, Griffin could be on the hook for approximately $78,000.
READ MORE: “Harry Griffin, 22, voted to Charleston City Council in runoff election.”
State Ethics Commission documents allege Griffin transferred $11,595.92 to himself through the five years he was involved in public life, with transfers ranging from as little as $4 to as much as $1,500.
For example, in May 2021, Griffin transferred $1,000 in campaign funds to a personal account twice, according to the Ethics Commission.
In August of 2017, Griffin cashed two checks for $2,735.61, according to the Ethics Commission.
News 4 reached out to Griffin for the story and hasn’t heard back.
READ MORE: “Harry Griffin DUI arrest report, dash cam video shows he refused breath & sobriety tests.”
The investigation was triggered by a complaint submitted by Edward Sutton in August 2021.
Sutton is a Democrat running for the state Senate District 20 seat – a Charleston-area seat.
Griffin was first thrust into public life in 2017 when, at 22, he was elected to Charleston City Council as the youngest member ever elected.
He was quickly embroiled in scandal soon after.
During the same period as the alleged campaign finance violations, Griffin called for an audit of the mayor’s office in May 2019.
READ MORE: “Charleston City Council votes to audit Mayor Tecklenburg amid allegations of misspending.”
At the time, Griffin accused then-Mayor John Tecklenburg of spending city funds to print his wife’s contact info on the back of his business card.
Griffin didn’t seek reelection following his four-year term on the city council. His last year as a city councilman was embroiled in additional controversy. He was accused of supporting an event organized by right-wing activists in December 2020.
Not long after, a petition circulated for his removal from office. He was also caught on tape insulting other council members.
On Dec. 15, 2020, Griffin apologized for the action while saying he wouldn’t resign.
Then in 2021, Griffin was arrested on charges of driving under the influence.
Those charges were later dismissed.
The hearing to examine Griffin’s alleged financial violations is set for Thursday, June 20, at 9:30 a.m. in Columbia, South Carolina.
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