MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – Former Horry County Administrator Chris Eldridge will be paid more than $300,000 to leave his job, according to a county resignation contract obtained by News13.
This comes after Eldridge asked the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, or SLED to investigate allegations of extortion against an associate of county council chair, Johnny Gardner in December.
No charges were filed.
Eldridge no longer has any job responsibilities for Horry County Government, however, he will continue to receive his entire salary, including paid holidays, vacation time, and a car allowance until April 16, 2020.
Eldridge will remain enrolled in the county’s health insurance plan, along with other county benefit programs until 2020.
The county will continue to pay into the retirement system on his behalf and pay his legal fees.
News13 has been trying to obtain the severance package since Tuesday when Horry County council voted to accept the terms.
County officials initially told us the document did not exist.
After two additional requests, News13 received the information Friday morning.
Horry County’s assistant administrator, Steve Gosnell will serve as the interim county administrator.
According to councilman Johnny Vaught, Eldridge had to be let go since the working relationship between Eldridge and Gardner had been destroyed.
