Lexington County Sheriff James Metts has refunded $5,500 to campaign contributors who have ties to the Internet sweepstakes industry.

Metts sent copies of the checks to The State newspaper Friday afternoon to demonstrate he had lived up to his word that the refunds would be made. He pledged to give the money back Thursday after The State provided him a copy of a Swansea magistrate’s order ruling that one of the donors owned an illegal gambling device that should be destroyed.

The refunds were issued to Brett Blanks and Charles Bishop and three companies they co-own: East Coast Vending Distribution, Universal Distribution of North Carolina and Universal Music Inc.

Although he hadn’t pledged to, Metts also returned money to Magic Minutes, a company owned by L.W. and Kathy Flynn. L.W. Flynn is a former investigator in the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office and a former candidate for Kershaw County Sheriff.

“I don’t want their money,” Metts said. “I don’t need their money.”

The longtime Republican sheriff is running unopposed in the November election.

James Metts returned campaign controbution checks

Reach Phillips at (803) 771-8307.