LEXINGTON COUNTY, S.C. — The former Lexington County Republican Party chairman and Rotary Club Foundation treasurer has been charged with unlawfully taking thousands of dollars from both organizations.
On Friday, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) announced that 42-year-old Craig Thomas Caldwell was charged with two counts of breach of trust with fraudulent intent at values of $10,000 or more after the Lexington County Republican Party called for an investigation.
One warrant alleges Caldwell, while serving as the chairman of the Lexington County Republican Party between 2016 and April 2023, unlawfully took nearly $61,600 from the party's bank account. The fund transfers happened between 2018 and 2023. SLED said Caldwell admitted to covering these transfers by falsifying monthly treasurer's reports for submission to other party members.
A second warrant said that, between May 2023 and March 2024, Caldwell also took about $52,300 from the Lexington Rotary Club Foundation across 11 checks he wrote to himself. The warrant states that Caldwell attempted to hide the withdrawals by not putting the checks into their accounting software.
We spoke with one of the organizations he allegedly stole money from, as well as Lexington County lawmakers.
Everyone said this news came as an absolute shock, as Caldwell was well known and loved in the Lexington area.
Mary Gasque is the District Governor of Rotary District 7770, which includes several clubs in eastern South Carolina.
"This is a very rare thing to have happened. It's, you just don't hear of this happening. You had a member come in that found a slip in the system and took advantage of it," Gasque said.
Gasque took office less than two weeks ago and said her predecessor was aware of the SLED investigation but felt it would be best handled locally.
She said all rotary clubs operate under a four way test.
"Is it the truth? Is it fair to all concerned? Will it yield goodwill and better friendships and will it be beneficial to all concerned? This guy that took the money did not pass the four way test," Gasque said.
We also talked to a spokesperson for the board of the Rotary Club of Lexington who did not want to speak on camera.
He said the whole group was shocked when they learned about the stolen funds, adding they had a lot of trust in Mr. Caldwell. Their first goal, this spokesperson said, was to get the funds back and reaffirm their practices to ensure this cannot happen again.
He said the rotary informed its members today via email of the stolen funds, in order not to jeopardize SLED's investigation prior to their announcement Friday.
State lawmakers that serve the Lexington County region were also surprised.
Senator Katrina Shealy sent News 19 this statement saying, "I was devastated to hear the news about former Chairman Craig Caldwell today. I hope that there will be a resolution to this issue for all parties impacted. We need to keep them in our thoughts and prayers."
House representative Chris Wooten also sent News 19 a statement saying, "I am not aware of the details at this point. I've always known Mr. Caldwell to be a good man and if the allegations are true, I am as shocked and surprised as everyone else."
Caldwell was arrested and booked into the Lexington County Detention Center. The Eighth Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the case.