Richland Councilman Washington removed from COMET transit board

Richland County Councilman Kelvin Washington, who faces tax charges stemming from a state investigation into the county’s transportation penny tax program, has been removed from the board of directors of the Midlands transit system, the COMET, which receives millions in funding from the penny tax.

Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson replaces Washington on the COMET board of directors, per an appointment by County Council Chairman Torrey Rush.

Washington, formerly vice chairman of the board, was set to become the new chairman of the COMET after former chairman Brian DeQuincey Newman resigned last week.

Both Washington and Newman were charged last month with failing to pay state income taxes. Newman, a former Columbia city councilman and a suspended attorney, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to probation. Washington’s charges are pending.

The tax charges against Washington and Newman came about through an ongoing audit and investigation of the county’s transportation penny tax program. Neither man’s tax charges, though, are related to the handling of public funds, according to lawyers for both men as well as the prosecutor in Newman’s case.

The COMET, which operates buses throughout the Midlands, has received more than $33 million in funding through the penny tax program since 2013.

Asked by The State newspaper last week whether he intended to remain on the COMET board after Newman’s resignation, Washington pointed to Rush and said only, “He has to make appointments.”

Dickerson has served on the transit board in the past, including as its chairwoman prior to Newman’s chairmanship. Dickerson chaired the board in 2011 at the time the bus system disclosed a $3 million deficit. During her board tenure, the system had to work with financial assistance from the city of Columbia and Richland County.

This story was originally published February 4, 2016 at 5:39 PM with the headline "Richland Councilman Washington removed from COMET transit board."