BLYTHEWOOD – Capt. Maria Yturria, Director of the Office of Public Information for RCSD, announced on Dec. 16 that Frederick W. Layman, III, Director of Doko Manor, has been arrested on charges of obtaining property under false pretenses.
According to Yturria’s announcement on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, Blythewood’s town attorney sent a letter requesting an investigation into the possible misuse and/or misappropriation of public funds associated with the use of the Manor.
In answer to The Voice’s inquiry about the investigation following Monday night’s council meeting, Interim Town Manager Ed Driggers said he had been in frequent communication about the town hall-initiated investigation and had turned all evidence of criminal activity at the Manor over to the sheriff’s office. He said all the communication between himself and RCSD has been verbal, and that town hall has not received any documentation from RCSD about Layman’s investigation or the Sept. 11 Manor incident investigation.
Yturria stated in the press release that Layman had accepted funds for the use of the Manor and had not deposited those funds into the town’s account.
“This occurred over the course of 6 months totaling about $2,950,” Yturria stated.
She stated that Layman wanted to repay the money so he would not be held accountable and sent his wife to the Manor on Sept. 11, with a blank check. At that time, he further made allegations of kidnapping by the Mayor. The RCSD incident report, however, did not mention that Layman alleged kidnapping, but stated that Layman said his wife was being held hostage.
In an email to The Voice, Yturria stated that, “This [Sept. 11] investigation is closed with no prosecution after evidence was presented to the solicitor’s office, who advised no prosecution.”
“An arrest is not a conviction,” Layman’s Attorney JJ Shellenberg with Thad Myers law firm said. “There is significantly more to this situation, and we look forward to the opportunity for Mr. Layman to clear his name.”
Yturria stated in the press release that RCSD has received additional requests to investigate other allegations of misconduct and of ethics violations.
The SC Ethics Commission is currently investigating Manor reservations that, according to the Manor reservation records, were comped for Richland County Councilman Derrek Pugh. A notation, “Mayor/Pugh,” was next to the reservation records obtained by The Voice through an FOI request.
Yturria also stated that allegations of misconduct or policy violations that are not criminal in nature were directed back to the town council. However, members of Blythewood Town Council have told The Voice that they have not received any allegations of misconduct or policy violations from RCSD.
The only criminal violation at this point, Yturria said, is that of Layman’s.
Layman turned himself into investigators of the sheriff’s department on Dec. 16, and was booked into the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center on charges of Obtaining Property Under False Pretenses.
At the bond hearing Tuesday morning, Layman was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond. Layman’s case was delayed because the judge conducting the bond hearing had to recuse herself for his case. Officials at the jail told The Voice that judges are not required to say why they are recusing themselves.
