A complaint filed with the South Carolina Ethics Commission alleges that Hanahan’s mayor and a city councilman violated conflict-of-interest laws in connection with local land sales.
Ethics Complaint Filed
The complaint, submitted on Sept. 8, 2025, by developer C. Ray Wrenn, accuses Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater and Councilman Michael Salley of improperly participating in city land transactions.
The filing includes a report prepared by a Charleston law firm and centers on deals involving Carolina One Real Estate, where both officials worked as agents.
Allegations of Conflict of Interest
According to the complaint, Rainwater and Salley failed to recuse themselves from multiple transactions that resulted in financial benefits for their employer.
The document alleges the city paid commissions to Carolina One in at least two separate land sales.
Transactions in Question
The complaint specifically references a June 2022 sale on Yeamans Hall Road and a February 2021 transaction on Williams Lane.
In the Yeamans Hall Road deal, the filing claims the settlement statement was revised before closing to include Carolina One as a broker, increasing total commissions to $25,500.
Role in Closing
The complaint further alleges that Rainwater attended the closing of the Yeamans Hall Road transaction to ensure the commission payment was made to Carolina One.
Investigation Status
The South Carolina Ethics Commission will review the complaint and determine whether further investigation or action is warranted.
No findings or rulings have been announced at this time.
