COLUMBIA, SC – Daniel Edward Johnson, 48, formerly the Fifth Circuit Solicitor, is headed to federal prison after admitting to a brazen wire fraud scheme that saw him siphon over $44,000 from his office for personal use. U.S. Attorney Sherri A. Lydon announced the sentencing today, bringing a grim end to a case that exposed a stunning betrayal of public trust.
Johnson, who served as Solicitor from 2011 to 2018 overseeing Richland and Kershaw Counties, exploited a system where Kershaw County footed the bill for credit card expenses for select office employees. Instead of using these funds for legitimate legal operations, Johnson repeatedly charged personal extravagances – racking up over 100 fraudulent transactions. Lydon minced no words, stating, “A prosecutor’s duty is to enforce the law diligently, vigorously, and justly… Dan Johnson represented to his constituents… that he was enforcing the law while he violated it himself time and again.”
The evidence presented in court painted a picture of blatant self-enrichment. Johnson’s Solicitor’s Office credit cards, boldly emblazoned with “DAN JOHNSON, Fifth Circuit Sol Office,” were used to finance a lifestyle far removed from public service. Investigators uncovered charges from September 7, 2016, for $208.79 at the Elara by Hilton Grand Vacations in Las Vegas, and a staggering $911.48 at the Doubletree Magic Mile hotel in Chicago – all on the taxpayers’ dime. The spending spree didn’t stop there: a $685.07 charge to Copa Airlines on October 1, 2016, and a $137.22 bill at the Hilton Columbia Center on October 5, 2016, further illustrated the depth of the deception.
The total damage inflicted by Johnson’s actions amounted to approximately $44,317.57. Senior United States District Judge Cameron McGowan Currie handed down a sentence of one year and one day in federal prison, followed by a three-year term of court-ordered supervision. The extra day is a calculated move, allowing Johnson potential credit for good behavior – but offering no chance of parole. Lydon emphasized the importance of accountability, stating, “Justice has been served, and we look forward to working with the fine men and women of the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office and Solicitor Gipson as they move forward from under the cloud of Johnson’s conduct.”
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), highlighting the dedication of these agencies to rooting out corruption within the justice system. Assistant United States Attorneys Winston D. Holliday, Jr., Alyssa Leigh Richardson, and William Camden Lewis of the Columbia office were instrumental in securing the conviction.
This case serves as a stark reminder that even those sworn to uphold the law are not above it. Johnson’s actions not only defrauded taxpayers but also eroded public faith in the integrity of the Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office. While a prison sentence offers some measure of justice, the damage to the office’s reputation and the public’s trust will take time to repair. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story as the fallout from Johnson’s betrayal unfolds.
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Key Facts
- State: South Carolina
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: White Collar Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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