Cottageville, St. George judge suspended

The S.C. Supreme Court has indefinitely suspended the municipal court judge for St. George and Cottageville without pay.

Judge Michael Evans must turn over all of his records and cannot enter either town's municipal court buildings unless escorted by a police officer, according to the order issued Friday.

The order came at the request of the Office of the Disciplinary Counsel, which screens and investigates all complaints made against the state's judges and attorneys.

Cottageville Mayor George White Jr. said Monday that the suspension is a result of an investigation, but he could not comment on why Evans is being investigated.

Lee Coggiola, disciplinary counsel for the state, said Monday that she couldn't comment specifically about why her office petitioned the Supreme Court to suspend Evans. She said her office sometimes will petition the court for the interim suspension while investigating a complaint against a person.

Coggiola said reasons for a suspension include:

--The subject is charged with or convicted of committing a serious crime.

--The subject does not respond to aspects of the investigation.

--The subject is considered a possible danger to the administration of justice.

Officials said Monday that they are not aware of any charges against Evans.

Attempts to reach Evans through his offices were unsuccessful.

Evans has been employed by the town of St. George for more than five years, Administrator Jason Purvis said. White hired Evans in Cottageville about a year ago.

"He's done a good job, and he's got my support," White said.

The order instructs the chief magistrates from Colleton and Dorchester counties to immediately seize all books, records, funds, property and documents relating to Evans' offices.

Evans also is restricted from having access to, destroying or canceling any public records or making withdrawals from any of the accounts pertaining to his offices.

He has 15 days to appeal the order.