Johnsonville mayoral candidate admits discrepancy in education background

JOHNSONVILLE—Discrepancies have been discovered regarding claims made by Johnsonville mayoral candidate Brad Richardson concerning his educational background.

Richardson acknowledged Tuesday that claims he obtained a Bachelors of Science degree from Francis Marion University in 2006 were not true. Richardson initially said he had earned a degree as part of a profile interview printed in the July 14 edition of The (Hemingway) Weekly Observer newspaper and posted on SCNow.com last week.

Richardson’s acknowledgment came following confirmation from staff at the Francis Marion University registrar’s office, who said records showed Richardson attended classes at FMU from Spring 2002 until Spring 2007 but never graduated.

An official with FMU said details of Richardson’s academic progress could not be released and said only that Richardson had not completed the course requirements necessary for graduation.

When inquired further regarding the details of his academic status, the two-term councilman said he transferred to Francis Marion University after receiving an associate’s degree from Florence Darlington Technical College, details that were not revealed during the profile interview.

According to the registrar’s office at Florence Darlington Tech, records showed Richardson does not have an associate’s degree from that institution. An official with the registrar’s office said Richardson is listed as starting classes in 1998 and indicated he was enrolled in a program that would allow him to transfer to another institution to further his studies.

When asked about the associate’s degree from Florence Darlington Tech, Richardson said the program he enrolled in allowed him to transfer to Francis Marion University, again differing from his initial comments.

In a phone message left by Richardson for the editor of The (Hemingway) Weekly Observer on Tuesday morning, the mayoral hopeful said he had contacted the registrar’s office at Francis Marion and that the university was in the process of producing a letter verifying his academic standing within that institution.

That letter was not available at press time.

An official with the university confirmed Richardson had called the registrar’s office and a letter confirming his current academic standing was being prepared for him.

In the July 14 profile piece, Richardson also said he was employed as a substitute teacher at schools in Kingstree and Johnsonville, which was confirmed by staff with Williamsburg County School District and Johnsonville High School.

The profile also listed Richardson as an employee with the Florence County Treasurer’s Office. Officials with the treasurer’s office confirmed Richardson is currently an employee there.

According to an official with the Municipality Association of South Carolina, Section 57210 of the state code says the only requirements to run for office is that a candidate be a qualified elector and live within the boundaries of the municipality of the district.

Officials with the City of Johnsonville said the city requires candidates comply with state code, be at least 18-years-old, live within the city limits and pay a filing fee of $100.

Richardson called the situation a “misunderstanding,” but acknowledged that what he said during the profile interview was incorrect and that he has not completed his degree from Francis Marion University.