Ex-Berkeley roads director to appeal firing

MONCKS CORNER — Former Berkeley County Roads and Bridges Director Cornelius Gathers is appealing the county supervisor's decision to fire him last week.

Supervisor Dan Davis fired Gathers and project supervisor Henry Stewart on Friday, a day after both men were arrested on charges that they ordered county employees to pave private roads, including Gathers' own drive, and then tried to cover it up.

Stewart and Gathers are charged with conspiracy and official misconduct of a public official. Gathers also is charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

Davis said the county received Gathers' request for an appeal Monday. It does not give the basis for the appeal. Neither Gathers nor his attorney could be reached for comment.

Davis said he fired both men before the resolution of their case because the State Law Enforcement Division investigation showed they violated county policies. "There was testimony and statements made that would lead us to believe there were violations of the county's personnel policy."

Fired employees have three working days to appeal. A grievance committee of five County Council-appointees serving three-year terms will hear the case. The committee must set a hearing date within 10 days of the appeal.

Stewart, 64, had not filed an appeal as of Monday. The St. Stephen resident has worked with the county since 1977. He has spent the last three years under the state's Teacher and Employee Retiree Incentive program, which allows retired employees to continue working while accumulating retirement.

A woman answering the phone at Stewart's house Monday said he was unavailable for comment.

Former Supervisor Jim Rozier hired Gathers, 44, in February 2006. Gathers, a former Department of Transportation and Charleston County employee, was making more than $80,000 a year at the time of his arrest.

Warrants accuse Gathers and Stewart of ordering employees to pave six private roads since April 2006. Stewart is accused of falsifying records to help them conceal the work.

Gathers told The Post and Courier prior to his arrest that he did not have county employees do the work. He said a private contractor did the work as a personal favor.

Reach Andy Paras at 843-745-5891 or at aparas@ postandcourier.com.