Event venue director charged with financial crime, Richland County sheriff says
The director of a town-owned event venue in South Carolina was charged with a financial crime as controversy swirls around the Blythewood location, according to the Richland County Sheriff’s Department.
Doko Manor Director Frederick William Layman was arrested on an obtaining goods under false pretenses charge, the sheriff’s department said Tuesday in a news release.
Missing money
On Sept. 11, Blythewood’s town attorney requested an investigation into the possible misuse and/or misappropriation of public funds associated with the use of the event venue, which advertises its luxury and grandeur on its website, according to the release. The investigation revealed that over a 6-month period, Layman accepted money for the use of Doko Manor and did not deposit $2,950 into the town’s account, the sheriff’s department said. Layman, who the sheriff’s department said has a history of wire fraud, made an attempt to repay the money and sent his wife to Doko Manor on Sept. 11, with a blank check, according to the release.
That was followed by Layman’s allegations of kidnapping by Blythewood’s Mayor, Sloan Griffin, the sheriff’s department said. The findings of this investigation were presented to the 5th Circuit Solicitor’s Office, which chose not to prosecute, according to the release.
The sheriff’s department said it has received additional requests to investigate other allegations of misconduct and of ethics violations. The South Carolina State Ethics Commission is investigating these possible violations, according to the release.
Allegations of misconduct or policy violations that are not criminal in nature were directed back to the Blythewood Town Council, the sheriff’s department said.
The sheriff’s department said, at this point, the only criminal activity is the financial crime that Layman has been charged with.
Layman surrendered to deputies Tuesday, and was booked into the Alvin S. Glen Detention Center, according to the release. Richland County court records show that a $10,000 bond was posted, and Layman is not listed on the jail’s inmate roster.
Layman is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 27, 2026, according to judicial records.
About Doko Manor
As of the end of June, The State reported that Doko Manor was operating at a more than $175,000 deficit.
In a September story published by The State, Layman said the venue was “a mess” when he was brought on in August 2024.
There is some controversy about Layman’s hiring.
Public records show that Layman pleaded guilty in 2011 to wire fraud for a transaction made in 2007. Layman was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison between 2011 and 2013, according to court documents.
In August, Layman vehemently denied any wrongdoing when asked about the conviction, saying he only pleaded guilty to protect his family and adding that he has “an exemplary record in the industry.”
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