A former Hardeeville city manager, one of five former officials indicted for misconduct, pleaded not guilty to the charge at the Beaufort County Courthouse Monday morning.
R. Shane Haynes, who left his position with city in 2008 and now lives in Alabama, was released on a personal-recognizance bond of $15,000, according to his attorney Jared Newman.
Four other Hardeeville officials who were indicted after a S.C. Law Enforcement Division investigation into Hardeeville's finances also pled not guilty at an arraignment hearing last week in the Jasper County Courthouse.
Haynes, former treasurer Santesia Henderson, former Hardeeville Police Chief James Hubbard, former police Lt. Eric Washington and former Fire Chief John Ekaitis are all accused of taking thousands of dollars by violating the city's cash leave policy between 2005 and 2006, according to the S.C. Attorney General's Office.
Newman said, despite the venue change for Haynes' arraignment, his trial will take place in Jasper County. None of the trials for the five former officials have been scheduled.
SLED began investigating Hardeeville's finances in 2008, when newly elected Mayor Bronco Bostick turned over the results of an audit which yielded irregularities.
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