Two Former Wagener, SC, Fire Chiefs Arrested after Overtime Probe

Two former Wagener fire chiefs have been arrested on embezzlement-related charges.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) investigation of overtime culminated with charges filed against Mark Redd and David Watson, WJBF reported.

Redd, who was fired in 2020 by Mayor Mike Miller after serving with the fire department for more than 40 years, sued him for defamation. 

Court records show Redd allegedly utilized the Town of Wagener’s Security Federal Bank account “for his own personal and financial gain” between Sept. 17, 2007 and Jan. 7, 2016 while serving as fire chief.

Redd is accused of writing checks to himself and family members, as well as purchasing firearm components unrelated to his duties as chief, totaling approximately $7,369.94, according to the charging documents.

He is charged with misconduct in office, malfeasance (wrongdoing of a public official), misfeasance (wrongful exercise of lawful authority), or nonfeasance (failure to perform an act that is required by law), as well as breach of trust with fraudulent Intent, more than $2,000 but less than $10,000.

Watson, who replaced Reed, resigned amid a probe into his alleged fraudulent overtime practices while employed as a maintenance supervisor for the town.

He was charged with Breach of Trust with Fraudulent intent, involving $10,000 or more, according to court records.

Investigators determined between June 30, 2022 and Oct. 4, 2023, frequently claimed overtime as hours worked totaling $42,298.56.

The arrests came just after Hendrik Swanepoel was appointed fire chief.

“Right now, we are getting Salley, New Holland, and Holly Creek to cover Wagener until we get all the documents. We cannot respond right now without the right documentation. So, I’m waiting to go through all this stuff,” he said, adding that his mission is to get the department operational again.