MARLBORO COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — Attorney Wade Crow who is representing Marlboro County Deputy Probate Judge Tammy Bullock said she's done nothing wrong and that will be proven over time.
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating accusations made against Bullock, at the request of the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office.
According to Tommy Crosby with SLED, it is in connection to the estate of Hollis Slade who, according to an obituary, died in January 2021.
Judge Bullock was sworn in back in March 2021.
A source said the allegations involve removing property and items from Slade's home without permission.
“I think Mrs. Bullock is willing to, I know she is, because I have told her to tell the truth about everything. An interview and talk to the SLED agent. Talk to any law-enforcement person about this thing. And just be upfront about it. She has done absolutely nothing wrong. And this has nothing to do with her job," said Crow.
Crow added Bullock worked for Slade for many years at the paper mill in Marlboro County before she accepted the position as the county's deputy probate judge.
He said Bullock was close friends with Slade and his wife.
“I really don’t think she’s done anything wrong come up myself. But try to help Mr. Slade’s wife who she is very fond of. Because she knew her for years.”
No additional information is available while the investigation is ongoing.
ABC15 has reached out to the Marlboro County Sheriff's Office to ask why they asked SLED to open the investigation.
In an unrelated matter, Bullock faces a charge of pointing and presenting a firearm in February in Bennettsville, according to Bennettsville Police Chief Kevin Miller.
ABC15 got a copy of the four-page incident report.
The report said the incident took place on February 3, 2021, but a report wasn't filed until February 5.
A 45-year-old woman is named as the complainant in the report, and Bullock as the subject.
The woman said Bullock had a gun and threatened to kill her during an argument at a home they shared in Bennettsville.
An excerpt from the police report said, "The complainant stated the verbal altercation resulted in the subject pointing a handgun in her face and making a threat to shoot her with a handgun in question. The complainant stated the handgun was medium-sized, and gray in color. The complainant further stated the handgun contained a hammer located at the back of the side.”
The officer questioned the woman about why she waited two days to file the incident report.
“I inquired with the complainant in reference to the reasoning behind her not contact the law enforcement on 02/03/2021, the complainant stated she did not know what to do at the time of the incident. The complainant stated the subject was further forcing her out of the residence. The complaint stated the subject was directing her to get all items out of the residence that day. I advised to complainant that the subject could not force her from the residence without first obtaining an eviction notice from the magistrate’s office.”
The incident report contains a statement from Bullock.
The report says, "The subject stated upon her exiting her bedroom, the complainant proceeded to jump in her face again while engaged in a fighting stance. The subject stated she then stated to the complainant 'I got a gun in my hand. I will not fight you. I’m too old, but I will defend myself.' The subject stated she never pointed her gun at the complainant at any time. The subject stated she then stated to the complainant and the complainant’s daughter, 'The best thing for y’all to do is to be moved out by the time I get home from work.' Subject stated she then exited her residence and went to the Marlboro County probate office for work."
Miller said Bullock pled not guilty to the charge and requested a jury trial.
He said the trial is scheduled to take place in November.
Meanwhile, Crow believes his client will be exonerated on the gun charge and that SLED will find no wrongdoing on her behalf.
However, he said if that's not the case, he stands ready to defend her.
“I want the truth to come out. And if they want to charge her. If I don’t feel like it with my age. Or my hearing impairment. If I don’t feel like I can adequately represent her after 60 years of practicing law. I believe I can find some young lawyer to sit with me in any court room they want to go to anywhere. Because that is all I’ve done for 60 years,” said Crow.
ABC15 called Judge Bullock, but she hasn't returned the call.
On October 8, 2021, Bullock’s superior, Marlboro County Probate Judge Mark Heath, released the following statement on her continuing to work and not being placed on leave pending the outcome of investigation and gun charge.
“Why not, these are allegations? Until the facts are
uncovered, there is really nothing I can say. You can refer to her
attorney.”
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