People inside the Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office say they had long known that Sheriff Wright struggled with a prescription pill problem—but speaking up came at a cost. According to several deputies, anyone who dared confront him or report their concerns to command staff faced retaliation, transfers, or sudden demotions. That fear and silence allowed years of corruption to go unchecked while Wright, who had served as sheriff for decades, quietly abused his power and betrayed the trust of both his deputies and the public.
Federal investigators from the FBI and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) uncovered that Wright had misused approximately $80,000 from a benevolence fund designed to help officers and their families during times of crisis. Instead of supporting those in need, records show the sheriff wrote checks to a known drug dealer and used the fund to cover
personal expenses, including luxury items and unauthorized travel.Investigators also revealed a troubling pattern of drug misuse. Wright allegedly diverted prescription pills from the department’s medication disposal program—an initiative intended to safely remove unused narcotics from circulation—and used them himself or distributed them to others.
These discoveries were part of a broader financial audit that exposed years of questionable spending and unreported withdrawals.When confronted with the evidence, Wright reportedly attempted to downplay his actions, describing them as “mistakes in judgment,” but prosecutors allege it was a deliberate scheme built on deception and addiction.
As news of the investigation spreads, local leaders are calling for accountability and transparency, emphasizing that no one is above the law. The scandal has sent shockwaves through Spartanburg County, leaving deputies demoralized and residents outraged that the man sworn to protect them instead used his badge for personal gain.
