Horry County Treasurer office accused of playing politics

A candidate running for Horry County Treasurer says she was forced out of her job as deputy treasurer just five days before the election by the current office-holder who she said has endorsed her opponent.

Angie Jones says she was falsely accused of waiving a $15 penalty for a family member, and that she, her family and friends, have been harassed by unnamed officials within the agency since she announced earlier this year she would run for the office of treasurer.

Jones made the statement during a news conference Friday, and said those are just some of the reasons she resigned her post to take a position with the County Clerk of Court’s office, while still running for the treasurer’s seat.

Jones is running for the seat being vacated by retiring Treasurer Roddy Dickinson. Also running for the seat is Jonathan Hyman, who works in the Treasurer’s office as a revenue collector.

Dickinson was out of town Friday and could not be reached for comment. During an interview with The Sun News on Thursday night, Dickinson confirmed Jones had resigned. Dickinson declined to comment on allegations from Hyman that she was under investigation for waiving the fine for a family member, and referred those questions back to Hyman.

Hyman issued a statement Thursday saying he “heard there was an investigation over the past several days regarding my opponent removing penalties from the tax bill of a family member” and called it a serious matter.

On Friday, Hyman released the tax notice number for one property that belongs to Jones’ family, which viewed online shows that county taxes were paid on Feb. 3 for $216. But a photograph of the paper bill shows an additional $20 was owed in late fees. A handwritten note across the bill said “Per A. Jones, missed it when pd bulk, treasure error.”

Hyman says that penalties are automatically incurred and added to bills, and in a statement said it’s “obvious no penalties were included when the bill was paid.”

“My opponent claims she has suffered from a hostile work environment since February, but didn’t resign until five days before the election and only after being confronted with the removal of tax penalties from a relative’s tax bill,” Hyman said.

Jones said that she did not remove a penalty charge, and that doing so would be unethical.

“My parents paid $2,700 total in taxes, and I’m being accused to taking off $15? That’s just nuts,” Jones said.

Jones questioned how Hyman learned the reason for her departure as he does not hold a leadership position in the Treasurer’s office. Jones also said the accusation made against her came from an employee whose mother works for Hyman’s real estate appraisal business.

“The only conclusion I can come to, is that Roddy Dickinson informed my opponent of the supposed reasons so my opponent could better prepare his statement to the press in order to tarnish my name and campaign just days before the election,” Jones said.

“This is obviously a desperate attempt by Roddy Dickinson to save my opponent’s flagging campaign, my opponent whom Roddy Dickinson has publicly endorsed and chosen to be his next treasurer, since I’m not part of his special good ole boy club,” Jones said.

Hyman announced his candidacy and Dickinson’s endorsement in an April 5 news release and on his Facebook page.

Horry County Clerk of Court Melanie Huggins-Ward said she hired Jones because she had no cause to believe the former deputy treasurer had done anything wrong. Huggins-Ward also said she is a supporter of Jones’ campaign.

“Even though there was nothing proven by anyone in Horry County government or the Horry County Treasurer’s Office that she did anything wrong, she was still given the option by Mr. Dickinson to resign or be terminated,” Huggins-Ward said.

“She chose resignation,” Huggins-Ward said. “It is a sad day in Horry County when individuals will stoop to any level to win an election.”

Although Jones’ mother is also employed by the clerk’s office, Jones said that relationship had no bearing on the clerk’s decision to offer her an open position as an administrative assistant.

Horry County Auditor Lois Eargle also spoke at the news conference, and called Jones a “person of character” who had been mistreated by her employer.

“I am saddened, I am disappointed with Roddy Dickinson, the way he has allowed this dedicated employee of 15 years, his deputy, to be treated like she has been treated,” Eargle said.

“I think it’s a shame, and Roddy, I want you to know I’m ashamed of you,” Eargle said.

Eargle and Huggins-Ward appear in television commercials for Jones, which is why they are “trashing” Dickinson, Hyman said.

“It sounds like this is the good ole girls system at work,” Hyman said. “The voters of Horry County understand political spin. I believe they will understand what was not said in my opponent’s various statements more than what was said.”

The outcome of that contest will be decided Tuesday by Horry County voters.

This story was originally published June 10, 2016 at 12:17 PM with the headline "Horry County Treasurer office accused of playing politics."