By PSA Newsroom Staff
Elloree S.C. – First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe has officially asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to investigate serious claims against Elloree’s town administration and police department.
In a letter dated November 25, 2025, Pascoe reached out to SLED Chief Mark Keel, laying out the need for state-level investigators to look at possible criminal acts involving Elloree officials and employees. The letter lists several current and former town leaders whose actions, if proven, could break South Carolina law.
Names under review include former Mayor Mike Fanning; former Councilman and now Mayor James Ulmer; ex-Police Officer Michael Mann; former Police Chief Shawn Murphree; ex-Town Clerk Jessica Darnell; and former Municipal Judge Lauren Davis. The investigation could also involve other town employees caught up in the process.
Pascoe’s letter points to concerns raised in a civil lawsuit filed for David Martin, who used to serve as Elloree’s Assistant Police Chief before becoming Chief.
The solicitor says he knows civil complaints aren’t automatically true, but since these accusations come from a former chief, they’re serious enough to warrant outside scrutiny.
The lawsuit claims that after Martin became chief, he tried to clean up the department, looking at how evidence, inventory, and finances were handled. In doing so, he apparently found a string of problems.
One big issue: the police evidence room. Items went missing, some possibly stolen. That could mean breaking laws on official misconduct or theft. According to the letter, former Chief Murphree and others are named, but nothing’s been proven yet.
Then there’s this: the letter states that thousands of dollars went to a local body shop tied to town council members for car repairs that, according to the complaint, might never have happened. Ulmer, who was a councilman and is now mayor, is accused of owning or running the business involved.
There are also claims that Murphree used town money for personal purchases and that certain neighborhoods, mostly African American areas, didn’t get proper police protection.
One of the most shocking allegations: someone allegedly tried to set fire to the police evidence room days before a planned SLED audit. The letter says ex-Town Clerk Jessica Darnell was a suspect in this arson attempt.
Pascoe’s letter goes on to mention claims of kickback schemes, where town officials supposedly paid Ulmer’s towing company for impounded vehicles, and Ulmer allegedly judged the police department’s performance by how much money those tows brought in.
The letter says then-Mayor Fanning was told about all this but didn’t act. In fact, it accuses Fanning, Murphree, and Ulmer of working together to shut down investigations and stop SLED audits. The alleged arson happened soon after.
There’s more: In the letter, former Municipal Judge Lauren Davis is accused of refusing to sign search warrants during the arson probe, pressuring cops to look elsewhere, and even telling Chief Martin to drop his investigation into Darnell while Darnell and Ulmer were in the room. Davis might have also revealed sensitive details of the probe to people being investigated.
Another incident: In June 2025, while serving as a councilman, Ulmer allegedly stole a police radio worth thousands. Then-Mayor Fanning reportedly got it back, but the radio was tied to police channels, giving unauthorized people access to law enforcement info.
Solicitor Pascoe stressed in his letter that the allegations remain unverified, but emphasized the gravity of the claims, the former positions held by those involved, and the apparent conflicts of interest within local government. He concluded that an independent investigation by SLED is necessary to ensure accountability, preserve public trust, and determine whether criminal violations occurred.
In addition to requesting SLED’s involvement, Solicitor Pascoe referred the matter to the Public Integrity Unit for consideration and copied Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor Duffie Stone.
He also disclosed that additional allegations had surfaced and were provided to SLED in the form of sworn affidavits.
The solicitor’s decision to formally seek an outside investigation represents a constructive and responsible action in the face of allegations that strike at the core of public trust in local government and law enforcement. By requesting SLED’s assistance, Solicitor Pascoe has taken a meaningful step toward ensuring that any wrongdoing, if proven, is addressed transparently and impartially, reinforcing the principle that no individual or office is above the law.
PSA Newsroom will continue to follow this matter and report on developments as SLED reviews the allegations and determines what further action, if any, is warranted.
PSA Newsroom Disclaimer: PSA Newsroom reports on matters of public interest to inform citizens, voters, and taxpayers about the actions of public officials, government entities, and institutions. Articles involving allegations, investigations, lawsuits, or official inquiries are based on publicly available documents, court filings, official correspondence, and on-the-record statements at the time of publication. All allegations referenced are unproven unless and until established by a court of law or confirmed by official findings. The inclusion of names, agencies, or entities does not imply guilt, wrongdoing, or liability. Individuals and organizations mentioned are presumed innocent unless otherwise determined through due process. PSA Newsroom does not render legal conclusions or judgments. Reporting on investigations or requests for investigation is intended to promote transparency, accountability, and public understanding of governmental processes, not to influence outcomes or substitute for judicial proceedings. Information is subject to change as investigations and legal matters progress. PSA Newsroom will continue to review primary source documents and follow updates from official authorities.
