Former Charleston County School District Board of Trustees member Kevin Hollinshead, who represented District Four, has broken his silence publicly for the first time since a federal indictment forced him to resign in March 2026.
What the Federal Charges Say
- The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Hollinshead is accused of fraudulently using Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) money for personal expenses, including flights to Tijuana, Mexico, for a medical procedure. He faces one count of bank fraud and two counts of wire fraud related to these COVID‑relief loans.
- Separately, the indictment alleges that Hollinshead accepted a bribe of about $1,040 in exchange for using his influence on the school board. The bribe was tied to a construction company’s appeal of a rejected school‑construction bid; he allegedly steered the firm toward a consultant, then took money from that consultant and tried to help fix the outcome of the appeal panel. That conduct led to charges of bribery and honest‑services wire fraud.
Why He Resigned and His Public Statement
- Hollinshead has pleaded not guilty in federal court and emphasizes that resigning was not an admission of guilt. He told News 2 he stepped down to avoid being a distraction on the board and to keep the district focused on students’ education while he deals with the stress and preparation of his legal case.
- In his statement he called it “the fight of my life,” said he was not allowed to talk specifics of the case, but insisted there was “way more to it than what they put out” and that he expects more facts will eventually clear his name.
Community Reaction and Next Steps
- A prayer vigil and community meeting were held at Unity Missionary Baptist Church in support of Hollinshead, and he thanked friends, ministers, and supporters across the state for their calls and encouragement.
- The U.S. District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment, and the case is now in the federal court process, where Hollinshead could face up to 30 years in prison, supervised release, and a $1 million fine if convicted on the full slate of counts.
For the Charleston County School District, this indictment has raised broader questions about ethics, transparency, and how contracts and appeals are handled at the board level, even as leaders publicly reaffirm that the resignation process will follow state law.
