State Grand Jury Issues Indictments Alleging Public Corruption by Suspended Fifth Circuit Solicitor Daniel Edward Johnson and Nicole H. Holland the Former Director of Communications for the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office

(COLUMBIA, SC) - Sept. 20, 2018 - South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson announced today that the South Carolina State Grand Jury has again issued a new indictment related to allegations of corruption at the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office.

On September 20, 2018, the State Grand Jury charged suspended Fifth Circuit Solicitor Daniel Edward Johnson with Misconduct in Office. The State Grand Jury also charged Daniel Edward Johnson and Nicole H. Holland with Embezzlement of Public Funds.

The Misconduct in Office charge alleges that in 2017 JOHNSON willfully and dishonestly failed to properly and faithfully discharge his duties as the Fifth Circuit Solicitor – in that state drug forfeiture funds were used improperly, including to pay for personal expenditures.

The Embezzlement charges against JOHNSON and HOLLAND allege that, between March 1, 2017 through May 1, 2017, while responsible for the safekeeping, transfer, and disbursement of public funds belonging to the Fifth Circuit, JOHNSON and HOLLAND embezzled public funds by paying for personal expenditures with their office-provided Bank of America Credit Card.

Misconduct in Office is a common law misdemeanor with a potential penalty of up to 10 years in prison. Embezzlement of Public Funds is a felony with a punishment of a fine and imprisonment of not more than five years. Anyone convicted is barred from ever holding a public office.

The case will be prosecuted by Senior Assistant Attorney General Josh Underwood and Assistant Attorney General LaRone Washington with the State Grand Jury Section of the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General.

Attorney General Wilson stressed that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in a court of law.

 You can read the indictments here.