Assistant public defender’s law license suspended over alleged gym membership cheat

The S.C. Supreme Court on Friday suspended the law license of an assistant Richland County public defender who allegedly obtained free Gold’s Gym memberships by pretending to be a sheriff’s deputy.

The Richland County Sheriff’s Department charged Stephen Francis Krzyston, 29, last week, accusing him of pretending to be a member of the Richland County Sheriff's Department and Fifth Circuit Solicitor’s Office to get free health club memberships. Employees of those two organizations have their memberships paid for by their agencies.

The sheriff’s office said Krzyston made false claims in 2013 and last year for the memberships, valued at $300.

Krzyston already had been placed on administrative leave by Fifth Circuit Public Defender Douglas Strickler.

According to online court records, Krzyston was arrested Jan. 20 and posted a $2,130 personal recognizance bond.

According to the Supreme Court’s order, Krzyston had asked that the court not suspend his license to practice law. But the Supreme Court was unanimous in its decision.

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 10:40 AM.