Former court clerk Becky Hill to have ethics hearing over 76 violation allegations

COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) – Former Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill has a hearing date with the State Ethics Commission after she was accused of over 70 ethics violations.

Of the 76 violations, two were for disclosure of confidential information for financial gain, two were for use of official position for financial gain for business, and 72 were for use of official position for financial gain.

Hill’s hearing is set for December 19 at 9:30 a.m. in Columbia. She is known for being the clerk of court in the double murder trial where former South Carolina attorney Alex Murdaugh was convicted of killing his wife and youngest son.

Two complaints were filed against her, one by a former member of the courthouse staff. In the complaints, writers allege Hill misused Department of Social Services (DSS) Child Support, allowed filming to happen at the courthouse for personal gain even times when the court was in session, had guided tours where she accepted ‘donations’ for the courthouse but deposited them into her private account, and neglected her position to promote her book and personal gain.

Included in the notice of hearing violations, Hill allegedly wrote herself thousands in bonus checks using child support funds.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) said in January that they were investigating two cases pertaining to Hill. One case involved alleged jury tampering.

Murdaugh’s attorneys allege Hill tampered with the jury during the weeks-long trial. Murdaugh was ultimately found guilty of killing his wife and youngest son. He was sentenced to life in prison.

The second is regarding allegations she used her elected position for personal gain, SLED said.

In March, Hill called a press conference where she announced her resignation effective immediately.

The announcement came shortly after she was exposed for plagiarizing parts of a book she wrote about the weeks-long trial titled, “Behind the Doors of Justice: The Murdaugh Murders.”