Retired Horry County leader, police named in sexual misconduct, defamation suits
A recently retired Horry County deputy administrator sexually harassed a subordinate, two former Horry County employees allege in new lawsuits.
The employees, who recently resigned under pressure, also accuse Randy Webster, the former public safety leader, Horry County and others of assault, wrongful termination, defamation and negligent supervision.
Attempts to reach Webster for comment were not immediately successful.
Former Horry County Police Department Investigator Kelsey Manemeit told The Post and Courier that Webster made unwanted advances, kissing her cheek, saying he dreamed about her and telling her he loved her.
And Manemeit wasn’t the only one who noticed a pattern of inappropriate behavior. Former Horry County public information officer Mikayla Moskov repeatedly raised concerns about Webster’s behavior, including back rubs and long car rides, The Post and Courier reported.
Shortly after Manemeit filed a sexual harassment complaint against Webster, he announced his retirement on Oct. 20, which became effective Nov. 3.
Days after Webster’s departure, Moskov, Manemeit and three other HCPD officers were pressured to resign following an internal affairs investigation. If the officers didn’t resign, HCPD Chief Kris Leonhardt told WBTW News the officers were informed they would be terminated.
On Friday, Horry County released that four officers resigned after an investigation uncovered non-criminal misconduct related to internal personnel matters. Later that same afternoon, a county spokesperson confirmed their names and ranks of Manemeit, Lt. Misty Gore, Detective Donald Kobithen and Sgt. Torry Lewis.
A cover sheet for the investigation also named Moskov and showed the officers violated HCPD’s code for “conduct unbecoming,” related to sexual affairs. Although no sexual activity occurred on duty, Leonhardt said, “It boils down to, for us, trust.”
But consensual relationships between off-duty officers typically don’t lead to dismissals, and HCPD officers found to have engaged in sexual activity on duty in 2020 were not all dismissed, The Sun News reported.
Specific details of the lawsuits aren’t yet publicly available, but Manemeit, Moskov and their attorney Jonny McCoy are set to share more information during a press conference Thursday afternoon.
Who is Randy Webster?
Webster, who was with the county more than 37 years, abruptly announced his retirement Oct. 20, writing in an email to county leaders and employees that the physical and emotional toll of the job was becoming too much to bear.
“Working here has brought a lot of joy but also a lot of sorry,” he wrote, citing recent health issues that pushed him to the brink of death on two occasions.
“I was losing touch with who ‘Randy’ is with you and especially with my family,” he continued. “The struggles are real and I have chosen to address them by making a significant change moving forward through retirement.”
Webster enjoyed a decorated career with the county, which even named its recently built $24 million public safety building after him. He was among its highest paid employees, earning more than $220,700 annually, according to recent employment records.
The Sun News has pending Freedom of Information Act requests for Webster’s personnel file and any harassment complaints submitted against him within the past year.
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 11:04 AM.