Businesswoman in Blythewood, SC Faces Breach of Trust Charges Involving State Contract

Just two weeks prior, New Venue Technologies was honored for being one of the top performing businesses in South Carolina; as of Friday, November 1st, the company’s president is in jail on charges of breach of trust for stealing state money.

The State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) arrested Terris Shirelle Riley, 39, of Blythewood on breach of trust charges – specifically, breach of trust with fraudulent intent involving $10,000 or more. The maximum penalty for these theft charges is 10 years in prison, or a fine at the discretion of the court.

According to the arrest warrant, the state gave Riley more than $10,000 to make “purchases from vendors” for certain software products. However, an audit through the state Budget and Control Board showed that those purchases had never been made.

House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford, D-Richland, had appointed Riley to Governor Haley’s Regulatory Review Task Force. The governor’s office confirmed, after Riley’s breach of trust arrest on Friday, that the woman had been removed from the committee.

“At best this is a contract case,” Rutherford said. “It is not a criminal matter. She has been working to try and resolve this contract issue, and they get SLED to go and arrest her.”

Riley was taken to the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on the breach of trust charges on Friday night, awaiting a bond hearing.

Reportedly, Riley’s Twitter account was still active as of Friday morning. She tweeted: “When the dust settles, I’ll be standing. But, first I will endure that which seems hard, but I won’t bow the knee. I was born a champion.”

Breach of Trust Charges in South Carolina

A breach of trust case can arise under a number of circumstances, often in an employment relationship, and can involve the theft of money or equipment, such as a car or laptop .

In these scenarios it is crucial to determine exactly what was taken as it is common for an employer to accuse the employee of taking more than what the employee actually took in the employers attempt to prosecute the employee.

If you are charged with stealing property or things of value from your employer, you must ensure that the charges you are being held accountable for are correct and accurate.

In order to convict you for breach of trust, the state must establish:

• there was a fiduciary relationship (a relationship of trust),
• that you took or failed to return something in violation of that trust, and that
• you intended to defraud the victim.

If the amount is $5,000.00 or more: Upon conviction, you are guilty of a felony and must be fined in the discretion of the court or imprisoned not more than ten years.

The Strom Law Firm Can Help with Breach of Trust Charges

If you or someone you know is facing fraud charges for embezzlement, breach of trust, or identity theft, contact our office today to get the help of an experienced federal criminal defense attorney who can review your case and determine your best course of action. We offer free, confidential consultations, so do not hesitate to contact us. 803.252.4800.