HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A Horry County woman has filed a lawsuit against the Horry County Government and several named employees after an incident alleging procurement fraud.
The lawsuit claims wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, defamation, civil conspiracy, violations of the South Carolina Whistleblower Act, and Violations of the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Lauren Demasi was employed by Horry County as a procurement specialist and had been hired in Sept. 2021, according to the lawsuit. Demasi was then promoted in April 2024.
According to the lawsuit, Demasi was assigned to spend one day a week at Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) to work on procurement projects for them.
The lawsuit states that in May or June 2024, Demasi was reviewing a spreadsheet of expenses she had prepared, which was consistent with the purchases of Horry County employees.
On that spreadsheet, Demasi noticed many purchases made by Horry County Magistrates and Solicitor's Offices, which had delivery addresses that did not match county property. In some cases, home addresses were listed, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit claims that Horry County procurement funds were being used to direct goods like golf equipment, large-screen televisions and other luxury items for Horry County employees.
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