COLUMBIA — Former Williamsburg County Clerk of Court Sharon Staggers was charged by a state grand jury on 10 counts associated with allegations of misconduct in office and embezzlement of public funds.

Staggers appeared in a Richland County courtroom for a bond hearing Aug. 13 where Circuit Judge Heath Taylor set a $50,000 personal recognizance bond, allowing her to be released without having to pay any money up front.

The Democrat, who served from January 2013 to December 2024 when she lost her seat, is accused of taking upward of $119,000.

Her lawyer, state Rep. Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, argued that Staggers is not a flight risk and spoke of her extensive experience working for the state.

A prosecutor told Taylor he agreed Staggers is not a flight risk but argued the charges are o

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