Parks commissioner files suit in dispute with colleague

A simmering feud between Charleston County Park and Recreation Commissioners Robert New and Kevin Hollinshead appeared to peak when the commission voted to file a state Ethics Commission complaint against Hollinshead, but now New has filed a $100,000 defamation lawsuit.

The commission in December voted to ask the Ethics Commission to investigate Hollinshead's use of a county credit card to buy $213 worth of tickets to an Indianapolis Colts game, an upgrade to first class and about $300 in other personal charges during a September trip to Indiana.

Hollinshead said he'd done nothing wrong, that he used the county credit card only because his wallet had been stolen, and said he would repay the money. He went on to say, in comments published in December in The Post and Courier, that he would go to the Ethics Commission with a complaint alleging misconduct by New.

"I've got documentation," Hollinshead said at the time, but he did not offer details, and has provided none since.

New demanded an apology, which he did not receive, and then filed a lawsuit this week in the 9th Circuit Court of Common Pleas claiming that Hollinshead "negligently, recklessly, maliciously, intentionally, and wilfully defamed the character of (New)."

The lawsuit said New's reputation was damaged by Hollinshead's comments, and that he suffered mental distress and embarrassment.

"I live my public and private life to the very high standard established by my parents a half-century ago," New said Friday. "I will clear my good name."

Hollinshead said Friday he would offer no comment on the lawsuit.

"I'll let the justice system handle it," he said.

Hollinshead was chairman of the PRC until Monday, when the commission elected new officers. Lisa King was named chairwoman, and neither Hollinshead nor New were voted into leadership positions.

The commission, which levies a property tax and operates Charleston County parks, used to get little attention, but that changed when the PRC received $36 million in half-cent sales tax proceeds to buy land for parks.

Commissioners have clashed over land

deals, such as the $10 million purchase of the 420-acre Harmony Hall tract in Meggett.

At a November board meeting, controversy erupted over a consulting contract for a land deal involving Jenkins Institute for Children. New demanded that his fellow commissioners state whether they had solicited business for, or had any business relationship with, any of the consultants under consideration.

Several commissioners quickly said "no" but Hollinshead laughed at New's suggestion and declined to answer.

Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.