Columbia Man Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Over $44,000 from Nonprofit Organization

Columbia Man Arrested for Stealing $44,000 from Nonprofit Organization

In Columbia, South Carolina, a troubling story has recently surfaced involving the misappropriation of funds from a nonprofit organization. A former executive director, Darrel President Sr., aged 56, has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $44,000 from the Greenbrier Resource Community Development Center, where he used to serve as the executive director. According to the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), this startling incident took place over several months, culminating in serious legal repercussions for President.

Details of the Case

On October 16, SLED announced that President was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent, particularly involving an amount of $10,000 or more. The charges stem from his actions between May 19, 2023, and February 29, 2024. During this span, it is claimed that President withdrew funds intended for community development and misused them for his own personal benefit. The arrest warrant explicitly mentions that he knowingly and willingly took money from the nonprofit without having the lawful authority to do so.

So, what was the money used for? Unfortunately, we don’t have a clear answer just yet. Authorities have not disclosed what kind of personal items or services the funds were spent on, nor do we know if President utilized the entire stolen amount. However, it’s indicated that he withdrew these funds without any consent from the organization’s board members, which raises several eyebrows regarding his ethical obligations.

How It All Unraveled

The situation began to unfold when the nonprofit received a grant of $100,000 from the state to construct a community center in Fairfield County. This was a significant financial boost meant for community enrichment and development. Instead of seeing the fruits of this funding, the organization found itself the victim of theft, resulting in a shocking betrayal of trust.

When questioned about the missing funds by board members of Greenbrier, President admitted to the withdrawals. He even went as far as to agree to repay the amount taken. It was noted that he started making payments to reimburse the funds in June 2024. The willingness to repay shows some level of acknowledgment of wrongdoing, but the impacts of his actions on the nonprofit’s mission have likely been severe.

Legal Proceedings

As it stands, President has been booked into the Fairfield County Detention Center, although specific details regarding his bond are still under wraps. His case will be prosecuted by the 6th Circuit Solicitor’s Office. According to South Carolina law, if convicted of the felony charge, he could face a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years, which serves as a sobering reminder of the serious implications of financial crime.

A Background on the Accused

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time President has been in the political spotlight. He made attempts to run for a seat on the Richland 2 school board in both 2018 and 2022, although those campaigns were unsuccessful. This adds another layer to the narrative, as many might now be reassessing his motivations and integrity within the community.

Community Reaction and Ongoing Updates

The community is understandably concerned and waiting to see how this situation progresses. With local organizations often depending on the trust and good faith of their leaders, stories like this can shake the foundation of community work. As more information comes to light surrounding the incident, officials promise to keep the public updated on any developments.

In cases like these, where trust has been broken, recovery can take time. The Greenbrier Resource Community Development Center, like all nonprofits, exists to serve and uplift the community, and it will be crucial for them to regain that trust moving forward.