News Summary
Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull has been fined $1,300 for violating the state ethics act, following allegations of conflict of interest. An ethics hearing revealed Shull’s actions in trying to exert influence over decisions benefiting him financially. The ruling includes a $1,000 administrative fee and a public reprimand. Shull has been under scrutiny for accepting a monthly stipend while serving on the water commission without recusing himself during related meetings. As he considers his options, the town awaits the next steps in this ethics controversy.
Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Hit with Fine Over Ethics Violations
Batesburg-Leesville is buzzing with news as the town’s mayor, Lancer Shull, faces a hefty fine of $1,300 for violating the state ethics act. The ruling came from the South Carolina State Ethics Commission on March 7, 2025, and it shed light on some eyebrow-raising actions taken by the mayor.
A Closer Look at the Allegations
The entire saga revolves around some serious allegations against Mayor Shull, who was found guilty of trying to influence governmental decisions that had a direct economic interest for him—essentially a conflict of interest. The allegations broke down into three counts, and he was handed a public reprimand along with that fine of $1,300. This amount comprised a $50 fine for each count and a $1,000 administrative fee. Not exactly pocket change!
The Commission’s Findings
The commission weighed in on this matter after holding a hearing on February 20, 2025. The heart of the issue lies in Shull’s acceptance of a $250 monthly per diem for his role on the Lexington Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission. Can you imagine that? A little extra cash for serving your community—sounds like a good deal, right? But things took a turn for the worse. Shull was appointed to this commission in 2018, shortly after he took office as mayor.
The Controversial Removal and Reinstatement
Fast forward to 2020, and the Batesburg-Leesville Town Council voted 5-4 to remove him from the commission. This should have been the end of the line, but Mayor Shull wasn’t ready to leave the commission just yet. In a twist of fate, he tried to coax two new council members—Cynthia Etheredge and Bob Hall—to change their votes and reinstate him. The pressure apparently worked, and a week later at a special meeting, the council voted in favor of bringing Shull back into the fold while simultaneously getting rid of Stephen Cain as a commission member.
No Recusal? No Problem?
One significant point of contention is that Shull never recused himself during any of the discussions that involved his reinstatement or the subsequent votes surrounding it. The ethics commission noted this as a violation of the state ethics act. After rejoining the commission, he continued to pocket that monthly stipend from 2018 to 2023 as he attended a total of 46 commission meetings.
Big Money for Little Work
Members of the commission benefit from monthly stipends, and there’s no need to document expenses. This means Shull amassed an impressive $3,000 annually over five years courtesy of those per diem payments. However, he finally ceased accepting the extra bucks in 2023, perhaps realizing that it wasn’t worth the growing scrutiny.
The Future of Mayor Shull
As of now, Mayor Shull has chosen to remain tight-lipped about the ethics commission’s ruling, indicating he’s still weighing his options. But here’s the kicker: if he doesn’t cough up that fine within 60 days, it could balloon to a staggering $12,000. That’s a hefty price tag for a few bad decisions.
The Bigger Picture
There has been ongoing chatter about improper influence and conflict of interest in Shull’s case, particularly concerning decisions related to the Joint Water and Sewer Commission. His attorney took a stand, claiming the per diem payments were merely incidental and didn’t equate to an economic inducement. But the ethics commission has yet to make a final ruling on these charges.
With all these developments unfolding, Batesburg-Leesville residents are left wondering what’s next for their mayor. Will he pay the fine, or will he continue to fight it? The community will be watching closely as the story develops!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Faces Ethics Complaint Over Water Decisions
Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Batesburg-Leesville Mayor News
- ABC Columbia: Mayor of Batesburg-Leesville Faces Ethics Complaints
- WLTX: South Carolina Ethics Commission – Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Ethics Complaints
- The State: Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Ethics Complaints Overview
- Wikipedia: Ethics in Government
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ethics
Author: STAFF HERE Chapin
CHAPIN STAFF WRITER The CHAPIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREchapin.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chapin, Lexington County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Chapin Christmas Parade, Fourth of July Celebration, and the Chapin Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chapin Chamber of Commerce and the Lexington School District One, plus leading businesses in retail and recreation that power the local economy such as Lake Murray Tourism and the Chapin Visitor Information. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREaiken.com, HEREbeaufort.com, HEREchapin.com, HEREcharleston.com, HEREclinton.com, HEREcolumbia.com, HEREgeorgetown.com, HEREgreenwood.com, HEREgreenville.com, HEREhiltonhead.com, HEREirmo.com, HEREmyrtlebeach.com, HEREnewberry.com, HERErockhill.com, HEREspartanburg.com, HEREaustin.com, HEREcollegestation.com, HEREdallas.com, HEREhouston.com, and HEREsanantonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
