CHARLESTON, S.C. - A federal grand jury in Charleston returned a five-count indictment, presented by the U.S. Attorney's Office, charging Kevin Dion Hollinshead, 64, of North Charleston, for accepting a bribe in exchange for his influence and official action as a Charleston County School District Trustee and for wire fraud and bank fraud related to COVID relief loans.

The indictment alleges that Hollinshead accepted a bribe in exchange for his support of a construction company's pursuit of an appeal arising from a failed bid for a construction project. Specifically, the indictment alleges that Hollinshead encouraged an executive from the construction company to hire a consultant to assist them in navigating the appeal process. The consultant agreed to kickback a portion of his consulting fee from the construction company to Hollinshead. Moreover, Hollinshead, knowing that the consultant intended to pay him a kickback from his consulting fee, used his official position as a member of the Charleston County School District's Board of Trustees to influence the appeal process in favor of the construction company.

The indictment a further alleges that in 2020 and 2021, Hollinshead applied for two loans through the pandemic relief programs that were administered by the Small Business Administration. In addition to including false information in the loan applications related to his business' revenues and employment figures, Hollinshead used the loan proceeds for non-qualifying, personal expenses such as a medical procedure at a clinic in Mexico.

"As alleged, Hollinshead used his position and influence as a school board member for personal gain," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "Our office will continue to hold elected officials who violate the public trust accountable, particularly when that trust involves the well-being of our children's education."

Hollinshead faces a maximum penalty of 30 years' imprisonment, supervised release for three years, and a $1 million fine. Hollinshead is scheduled to appear before the Honorable Molly H. Cherry, United States Magistrate Judge, on March 18 in Charleston.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Whit Sowards and Emily Limehouse are prosecuting the case.

All charges in the indictment are merely accusations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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