On Friday, the West Columbia Police Department arrested Mr. Richard Dwight Skipper, of Columbia, on four counts of Forgery Less than $10,000.

An investigation by the West Columbia Police Department has determined Mr. Skipper, who is the CEO of The Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce, submitted approximately $5,150.00 of fraudulent invoices to the City of West Columbia for reimbursement of Hospitality Tax Grant Funds.

Mr. Skipper has been employed by the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce since 2018 and the fraudulent invoices were submitted in 2018 and 2019 for events such as the Holiday Parade of Lights and West Columbia’s Rhythm on the River Concert Series.

Mr. Skipper was arrested on Friday, and is currently being held at the Lexington County Detention Center.

The City of West Columbia and the West Columbia Police Department take the proper use of public funds very seriously. When irregularities in the use of public funds were discovered, a thorough investigation began. The misuse of taxpayer dollars is not tolerated in the City of West Columbia and anyone who mishandles public funds will be diligently prosecuted.