Is it true that many of former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts' top lieutenants are no longer with the department?
Maj. John Allard, former Lexington County Sheriff James Metts, public information officer, last sent out a press release to news organizations, June 13.
Erik Murrah took over since, and has already issued a release from interim Sheriff Lewis McCarty. Murrah said McCarty would conduct interviews with the media, later.
Metts has been removed and McCarty has been tapped to replace him.
Rumors are circulating that up to five, top insiders of Metts' are no longer with the Lexington County Sheriff's Department (LCSD.)
Confirmed as gone are: assistant sheriff Keith Kirchner; Allan Paavel, of administration; Dave Amick, of patrols; and John Tate, legal advisor.
Is it a coincidence that there has been a house-cleaning of sorts, if there has been, so close to the date of Metts' indictment for bribery, and other illegal activities? Was it just a good time to move on in their careers?
Allard is high-profile to all media contacts, since he was the top promoter of all the community relations projects Metts' perpetuated to enhance Metts' image.
From bicycle give-aways at Christmas to fund-raisers and community clean-ups, Allard was on hand to record the good deeds, and send the word out to the media, in Metts' name. A photo, usually of Metts, accompanied the copy.
Allard was a regular too on local radio newscasts,. Lots of time on WVOC.
Some of the other names mentioned are personnel that presented budget-need requests, to Lexington County Council.
In addition to Mett's removal, and the bleeding of Metts' top captains, Lexington County Councilman Frank Townsend lost his seat on county council last week.
And former council Chairman Bill Banning received just 38 percent of the vote in the June 10 GOP primary, and faces a run-off with anti-tax candidate Ned Tolar.
Many of Banning's opponents refer to Banning's support for the Lexington County Penny Tax as a reason Banning is in a fight.
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