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by JENN WOOD
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Charlene “Charlie” Wood Uhrmann — a Jasper County, South Carolina resident and government watchdog — has filed a pro se lawsuit (.pdf) leveling explosive allegations against some of the county’s most powerful public officials. According to the complaint, these officials engaged in a coordinated effort to destroy public records that were the subject of a lawful Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request she submitted in late 2024.
Her civil complaint (.pdf), filed on June 24, 2025, named the county, two councilmen, the probate judge, the county attorney and ten unidentified individuals as defendants. Uhrmann alleged these officials not only failed to comply with FOIA — they actively worked to obstruct it.
Her case is bolstered by the sworn statement of a sitting judge, who attested to witnessing one of the central figures deleting records in direct defiance of the law.
At the heart of Uhrmann’s lawsuit is a disturbing claim: That elected officials used their positions of power to retaliate against a citizen — and then covered their tracks by erasing digital evidence.
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THE FOIA REQUEST
On November 27, 2024, Uhrmann submitted a detailed FOIA request to Jasper County attorney David Tedder. The request sought electronic communications — including text messages — referencing her name and known aliases from probate judge Albert “Buster” Kleckley, former councilman Martin Sauls and councilman Joseph Arzillo. The time frame included October 25 to November 4, 2024 — a period during which Uhrmann alleges county officials discussed her in disparaging terms and potentially surveilled her family.
According to her complaint, those communications included references to Uhrmann as a “wacko” and “wack job” — and allegedly included private information and photos shared between officials.
Instead of complying with the FOIA, Uhrmann says county officials conspired to destroy the records.
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‘SHE AIN’T GETTING SH*T’
According to the lawsuit, on December 5, 2024 — after the FOIA was submitted but before a response was provided to Uhrmann — Tedder called Judge Kleckley and told him to delete the messages.
“She ain’t getting sh*t,” Tedder allegedly said, according to a sworn statement by associate probate judge Dixie Ford, who claimed to have been present during the call.
Ford’s affidavit painted a damning picture: She stated Kleckley deleted text messages about Uhrmann in front of her — and later boasted about pressuring Jasper County’s IT director to scrub the related server data.
Ford further alleged that when she warned Kleckley deleting the texts would constitute the destruction of evidence, he dismissed her concerns. She also says he referenced making a marriage license “disappear” for another employee as leverage to demand similar behavior.
In her certification (.pdf), Ford stated she has faced harassment from Kleckley after reporting him to the S.C. Office of Disciplinary Counsel (ODC).
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THE COUNTY’S RESPONSE
In a December 12, 2024 letter (.pdf), Tedder responded to Uhrmann’s FOIA by claiming records had been “auto-deleted” and that one of the phones involved — used by councilman Sauls — was a personal device not subject to FOIA. He said no responsive emails had been located and that Jasper County IT had contacted phone service providers to retrieve deleted messages from Kleckley’s county-issued phone.
According to Uhrmann, those assertions were false.
Her complaint included a December 16 rebuttal letter pointing out that the texts were deleted after the FOIA was submitted, that elected officials used their phones to conduct public business, and that such communications clearly fall under FOIA’s definition of public records — even when sent from personal devices.
She further notes that the county has never produced documentation to show retrieval efforts were even made — nor has it turned over any of the requested messages.
Uhrmann says her attempts to address the issue informally were met with hostility. At a public council meeting on June 2, 2025, she attempted to raise concerns during the public comment portion — and was reportedly shouted down by council members, including some named in the lawsuit.
She later notified the council of her intent to sue, stating, “make no mistake: I will reach my burden of proof.”
Her lawsuit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, a court order compelling the production of any remaining records and criminal referrals for the destruction of public records in violation of S.C. Code § 30-1-30.
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RELATED | WHY FREEDOM OF INFORMATION MATTERS
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WHY IT MATTERS
This lawsuit — and the sworn certification from a sitting associate judge backing it — underscores the vital importance of South Carolina’s Freedom of Information Act and the need for real consequences when those in power attempt to sidestep it. As FITSNews has previously reported, transparency is not just a bureaucratic formality — it’s a fundamental safeguard against corruption, retaliation, and abuse.
If the allegations are true, they point to a disturbing reality: Public officials using their office to retaliate against a constituent — and then engaging in a coordinated cover-up to hide the evidence.
We will continue tracking developments in this case, including any responses from county officials and action taken by the Office of Disciplinary Counsel or law enforcement.
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THE COMPLAINT…
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …
As a private investigator turned journalist, Jenn Wood brings a unique skill set to FITSNews as its research director. Known for her meticulous sourcing and victim-centered approach, she helps shape the newsroom’s most complex investigative stories while producing the FITSFiles and Cheer Incorporated podcasts. Jenn lives in South Carolina with her family, where her work continues to spotlight truth, accountability, and justice.
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10 comments
Gee, the concluding statement: “if the allegations are true, they point to a disturbing reality: public officials using their office to retaliate against a constituent—and then engaging in a coordinated cover-up to hide the evidence” seems to ring a bell in what Trump and his sycophants are currently carrying out in Washington.
I noticed the article author and the woman listed in the lawsuit both have the same name of “Wood” in their name. Can any verify if it is just coincidence or are they related? If related, then possibly a bias opinion?
No, they are not related. Wood is a fairly common name all over the country. Nothing to see here.
*yawns*
This brazen conduct by public servants is very serious. Upon its face, some of these acts by the same appear to be felonies under a SC State Statute, a statute that many lawyers do not even know exist.
I am not going to post that statute because of the spying eyes. I will wait to see what happens. Many do know that SC has no statute of limitations for criminal offenses. You can charge and prosecute for crimes committed even 50 years or more ago.
In the final analysis of what I read and understand, some of these people need to go not to jail, but to prison. They obviously have over inflated egos and are on power trips.
Laws should have authority over men and women. Not men and women over laws.
This has been a problem in Jasper County for decades. The good old boys are alive and well.
Wonder what axe Ford was grinding ?
FOIA is a great tool for the government to use to obfuscate, delay and or lie by omission. Another tactic is overcharging for gathering the information or putting a huge price tag on recovering the information before they even know how long it will take to do so.
Most of the time when government wants to “crack down” on law breakers they will increase the penalties for each infraction. I suggest we increase the breach of FOIA to be a minimum of three years in prison and a fine of $5,000 for each day in no compliance. If that does not work maybe cut a finger off each time and fire them when they can’t wave anymore.
What do expect from an Attorney that went to Prison for being Involved with Drug Smuggling? Losing his License to Practice Law, Then The Buster Murdaugh and Others Helping him to Be Reinstated?? He is Also an Attorney that helps Developers Push Through their Plans!! Same stuff in Beaufort County!!
Well said Thomas, the truth needs to be heard….everyone knows it and is too damn scared to speak it!