Sheriff: Director Stole Money from SC Criminal Defense Lawyers Group

Richland County Sheriff’s deputies arrested the executive director of a state criminal defense lawyers group for allegedly stealing money from the organization to use for personal purchases.

Teresa Edmonds, 47, was arrested after turning herself in to authorities Thursday. Edmonds is charged with two counts of breach of trust over $10,000.

Edmonds is accused of stealing $192,000 from the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers between 2004 and 2013.

Richland County Sheriff Leon Lott said in a news release that the president of the association contacted his department in March about missing money.

The association’s president believed the missing funds were the responsibility of their executive director, Lott said.

An investigation conducted by the department’s financial crimes unit determined Edmonds stole the money and used it to go on trips; have personal dental work and cosmetic surgery; purchase computers and cell phones for her family members; and to purchase clothes and food; among other things, according to the news release.

Edmonds had oversight and control of the association’s funds, Lott said, and did unlawfully convert those funds to her own personal use. 

Edmonds was booked in to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center early Thursday morning.