US EditionFormer South Carolina elections director arrested after using state card to buy fuel, agents say
Howard Knapp faces charges including embezzlement of over $5,400 in state funds and misconduct, while Paige Salonich is accused of secretly recording confidential Election Commission meetings.
- On Friday, Howard Knapp, former South Carolina elections director, and Paige Salonich, former deputy director of the South Carolina Election Commission, were arrested; Knapp is accused of using a state credit card for over $5,400 in fuel.
- Knapp was fired last month amid the probe into his conduct, and Dennis Shedd, South Carolina Election Commission chairman, said the commission is reviewing Knapp's 2024 recommendation to buy 3,200 ballot scanners for about $32 million.
- Investigators say Paige Salonich placed a recording device inside a boardroom during a closed-door meeting, and after being ordered out, Howard Knapp sought help from employees to retrieve it.
- Prosecutors charged Howard Knapp with embezzlement, misconduct in office, and eight counts of using office for personal gain; the South Carolina Election Commission said Friday the charges do not relate to election integrity.
- State Law Enforcement Division agents say the investigation into the case continues, and a lawyer told reporters `See you there,` after his client’s release.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Ex-South Carolina Elections Director Arrested For Embezzlement, Misconduct
Howard Knapp, South Carolina’s former elections director, was arrested Friday and charged with embezzlement, misconduct in office, and using his position for personal gain. Authorities allege Knapp used a state credit card to purchase over $5,400 in fuel for personal use while driving his state car. Knapp, 40, was fired last month and faces eight […] Ex-South Carolina Elections Director Arrested For Embezzlement, Misconduct
Associated Press News
Former South Carolina elections director arrested after using state card to buy fuel, agents say
South Carolina's former elections director Howard Knapp has been arrested and charged with embezzlement and misconduct in office.
Fired SC elections chief charged with embezzlement, misconduct
South Carolina's recently fired elections director and deputy director had a bond hearing at the Richland County jail (seen above) following their arrests Friday, Oct. 24, 2025. (Photo by Jessica Holdman/SC Daily Gazette)COLUMBIA — Police arrested South Carolina’s recently fired elections director, Howard Knapp, on embezzlement and misconduct in office charges related to his use of state-provided vehicles over eight months starting in 2023. Knap…
Former SC elections head, deputy director arrested by SLED
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – The former executive director and deputy director of the South Carolina Election Commission, who were fired last month, have been arrested in Richland County, according to jail records. Records show Howard Knapp, 40, was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on Friday on 11 charges, including eight counts of use of official position or office for financial gain. He was granted a $75,000 personal recogniza…
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