After SLED investigated Howard Knapp car use, it gave report to SC AG, sources say

Former State Election Commission director Howard Knapp, who was fired by the commission last week for unclear reasons, has been in controversy before.

It was a quiet controversy; few knew about it.

More than a year ago, Knapp was investigated by the State Law Enforcement Division for possible misuse of state vehicles and credit cards, according to sources familiar with the situation.

SLED even completed a report on the matter and turned it over to the office of S.C. Attorney General Alan Wilson many months ago, if not more than a year, sources said.

What became of the report is unclear.

Asked about the report and the SLED investigation, Robert Kittle, a spokesman for Wilson’s office, emailed this response: “We don’t confirm or deny the existence of any investigation, so we cannot comment.”

According to sources, Knapp and his wife were using two state vehicles and state credit cards to buy gas for personal use.

At some point, Knapp was made aware that he might not be in compliance with state procedures involving the use of state property, the sources said.

The vehicles were returned and Knapp was allowed to reimburse the state for the gas, sources said.

The State newspaper could not determine how much state money the Knapps spent on gasoline, how much their reimbursement was or how much the vehicles they were using cost.

Besides SLED, the state Office of Inspector General also investigated Knapp’s use of state vehicles and credit cards, sources said. The Inspector General could not be reached for comment.

In addition to the unnamed sources who provided the above information, The State newspaper also spoke with three people on the record who knew about the incident.

At the time, Knapp was represented by John Simmons, a former U.S. Attorney for South Carolina, and Butch Bowers, a politically connected attorney. Both are respected members of the S.C. Bar.

Simmons said in an interview Thursday, “We briefly assisted Mr. Knapp regarding some questions about the vehicle use. Mr. Knapp always maintained he complied with all the applicable procedures, policies and laws. But in any event, he did make a small reimbursement for amounts that were issued.”

Bowers recalled helping Simmons, the lead lawyer on the case, resolve the matter with the Attorney General’s office.

“He (Knapp) reimbursed whatever he needed to reiumburse, and then that was about the end of it,” Bowers said. “I was in the AG’s office at least once or twice with Simmons.”

John Wells, former chairman of the State Election Commission, who stepped down from his post in March 2024, declined to discuss the Knapp and car situation in detail.

But Wells did say, “There was an incident with the use of state vehicles back when I was the chairman. But we dealt with that. I thought that was a closed chapter.”

This story was originally published September 25, 2025 at 1:04 PM.