CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) – Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg is officially under audit. It’s a move he welcomes and members of council votes unanimously for.
It comes after some members of city council accused him of misspending – they are questioning the use of funds for his wife, Sandy.
Councilman and mayoral candidate Harry Griffin first raised concerns about the mayor’s business cards which include his wife’s name on the back of the card.
The City of Charleston says it costs the city 1$0 additional dollars to include her name. The mayor says she does have duty as the first lady of Charleston and serves the city.
“The question, really, is about the judgment,” said Councilman Bill Moody. “I wouldn’t even have considered the city paying for (my wife’s name on a business card).”
During Tuesday night’s meeting, other council members questioned the mayor on other potential issues including travel expenses for his wife.
Mayor Tecklenburg admitted allowing his wife to drive his city-issued car. The city’s attorney said she did not find any legal or ethical violations but council members said they believe it’s a policy violation.
Last May, Charleston County Probate Judge Irvin Condon suspended Charleston Mayor John Tecklenburg from managing an elderly woman’s finances. It was discovered at the time he withdrew $80,000 from her account over five years while acting as her trustee.
$55,000 of that money was used on Sandy Tecklenburg’s gift shop, Meeting Street Gallery.
Information on that audit should be released within 60 days.
