Former solicitor for the Fourth Judicial Circuit Jay Hodge is being investigated by the FBI for his involvement in Mercy Ministries Inc., a faith-based nonprofit in Cheraw that aims to help battered women and children, according to first assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin McDonald.
McDonald said the FBI is investigating Hodge for financial improprieties involving Mercy Ministries. He said the FBI was alerted by citizens in the area who had concerns about financial mismanagement of the ministry and has subpoenaed the financial records of Mercy Ministries and the Fourth Judicial Circuit during Hodges’ tenure.
Hodge has served as president of Mercy Ministries Inc. for the past eight years.
Barbara Bullard, who recently served as director of Mercy Ministries, said she alerted the FBI of what she considered financial improprieties.
Bullard alleges Hodge misappropriated funds “in excess of $100,000” in regards to finances at Mercy Ministries.
“There has been no misappropriation on my part,” Hodge told The Messenger on Monday.
Among the accusations, Bullard alleges Hodge was spending money and not providing receipts and was requesting checks for others without providing receipts. Bullard also alleges the former solicitor was having work done at his home and office and charging it to Mercy Ministries.
“There’s been a lot of different forms of misappropriation,” Bullard said. She said the ministry also received federal grant funds that were deposited into the ministry’s account. “My concern as the director is that the funds were not being utilized for what they were for,” Bullard added.
Hodge, who served as solicitor for the Fourth Judicial Circuit for 12 years before retiring from the position in January, resigned from his position of assistant solicitor in May, according to reports. The Fourth Circuit consists of Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington and Dillon counties.
McDonald said the FBI is still investigating the issue.
Once the investigation is complete, McDonald said, the FBI will report its findings to the U.S. Attorney General’s office in Columbia. The office will then decide whether or not to file charges based on the investigation results.
Will Rogers, current solicitor for the Fourth Judicial Circuit, said in a earlier press release that since he was an officer of the court, commenting on the issue would be inappropriate at this time. He said he would issue a statement when the time was appropriate.
-- WBTW reporter Patricia Burkett contributed to this story
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