Charleston, South Carolina — Bland Richter Law Firm announces that the South Carolina Supreme Court has declined to accept Jasper County Treasurer Michael Skinner’s Petition for a Writ of Mandamus. This decision, while not unexpected given the discretionary nature of such matters, does not deter Mr. Skinner or his legal team from pursuing justice in this case.
Ronnie Richter, attorney for Mr. Skinner, stated, “The Supreme Court has elected not to accept Michael Skinner’s writ of mandamus. As a discretionary matter with the court, their decision is not surprising. Mr. Skinner and Bland Richter are undeterred and will re-file the matter immediately in the circuit court.”
Mr. Richter added, “Ironically, there’s a high likelihood that regardless of how the lower court rules, one of the two parties in this case will appeal the same matter to the same Supreme Court.”
This case stems from an ongoing dispute between Mr. Skinner and the Jasper County Council regarding access to the County’s bank accounts. Mr. Skinner, in his capacity as County Treasurer, has been seeking an order mandating that he be granted access to these accounts, which he deems necessary for fulfilling his official duties.
The Jasper County Council previously responded by retaining legal counsel to contest Mr. Skinner’s filing and initiating an investigation into his use of County funds for legal representation. In response, Bland Richter Law Firm agreed to adjust its engagement terms to mirror those of the attorneys engaged by the County, in an effort to minimize the financial burden on Jasper County residents.
“We remain committed to responsible fiscal management and transparency,” Mr. Richter emphasized. “Our goal is to ensure that the residents of Jasper County are not unduly burdened by legal costs while we provide necessary legal support to the County Treasurer.”
Mr. Skinner maintains his willingness to withdraw his petition if granted access to the County’s bank accounts. This ongoing legal dispute underscores the critical need for clear and transparent financial oversight within the County’s operations.
Bland Richter Law Firm will continue to pursue all legal avenues to resolve this matter in the best interests of Mr. Skinner and the residents of Jasper County.