News Summary
The libel lawsuit filed by A.T. ‘Tommy’ Smith, a former candidate for Greenville County Sheriff, against current sheriff Hobart Lewis has reached a settlement. After Smith made damaging allegations during his campaign in 2020 regarding Lewis and a local deputy, the lawsuit resulted in an official apology from Smith, acknowledging the falsehood of his claims. This resolution brings a sense of closure to a tumultuous chapter in the local political landscape, emphasizing the importance of integrity during elections.
Settlement Brings Closure in Greenville County Sheriff’s Race Controversy
In the small town of Greenville, the dust is finally beginning to settle after a particularly controversial chapter in the local sheriff’s race came to an end. A.T. “Tommy” Smith, a former candidate for the position of Greenville County Sheriff, has officially settled a libel lawsuit that has been making waves since it was filed back in 2021. The settlement, reached on January 24, 2025, addressed the serious allegations Smith made during his campaign against current sheriff Hobart Lewis and a local deputy.
False Allegations and Campaign Turmoil
During the 2020 special election campaign, Smith went on the offensive with a series of campaign mailers that included inflammatory statements suggesting that Hobart Lewis had engaged in an extramarital affair with Cindy Barnette Camp. Smith’s materials contained comments such as “Hobart, who is Cindy B?”, effectively accusing Lewis of scandalous behavior that never had any basis in fact. Camp, who is not only a deputy in Anderson County but also a former police officer in Greer, felt the impact of these vicious rumors firsthand. Following the mailers, she was inundated with calls from concerned friends and community members who were alarmed by the damaging claims against her character.
The Lawsuit and Its Ramifications
In response to the libelous allegations, Camp took a stand and filed her lawsuit, citing significant emotional distress and damage to her reputation. The lawsuit unveiled troubling signs of dysfunction within Smith’s campaign, particularly the negative tactics that included personal attacks rather than focusing on the issues. Camp’s claims were bolstered by the results of a polygraph test taken by Sheriff Lewis, which showed no signs of deception regarding the affair allegations.
During the course of the lawsuit, it was revealed that a former lieutenant from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office had conducted the polygraph test and confirmed that Lewis did not disclose any affair during the examination. This pivotal evidence further underscored the groundless nature of Smith’s accusations.
Smith’s Realization
Ultimately, the lawsuit paved the way for a public retraction and an official apology from Smith. He acknowledged that his previous claims against Lewis held no merit and accepted responsibility for the misrepresentation of facts. This significant turn of events came after Smith’s campaign failed to gain traction, ending with his loss to Lewis, who swept a decisive 72% of the votes.
Campaign Chaos and Consequences
The 2020 campaign was already marred by controversy, not just due to Smith’s allegations but also because of the mismanagement by his campaign manager, David Tyler Hoover. Hoover later faced charges of breach of trust regarding his handling of various local campaigns, adding yet another layer of difficulty for Smith. Following a turbulent election cycle, Lewis not only reclaimed his position but did so without opposition in November 2024, after successfully overcoming a primary challenger.
A Silver Lining
As the settlement was reached, Camp expressed relief, noting that the resolution brought some vindicating relief after the distressing months of dealing with the fallout from the allegations. With the lawsuit behind her, she can finally breathe easier and move forward from the burden placed upon her by Smith’s reckless claims.
While the campaign may have created divisions within the community, the resolution serves as a stark reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in local elections. As the inhabitants of Greenville County reflect on these recent events, they are left with an enduring lesson on the serious implication of false allegations during elections.
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Additional Resources
- Post and Courier: Settlement Brings Closure in Greenville County Sheriff’s Race Controversy
- Fox Carolina: Advocates Say Lawsuit Points Gaps in Law Enforcement Training
- Greenville Online: Sheriff Vets Deputies for Racial Bias
- WSPA: Wrongful Death Lawsuit Against the City of Greenville Dismissed
- Wikipedia: Libel
- Google Search: Greenville County Sheriff Race
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lawsuit
- Google News: Greenville County Sheriff Race
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
The HERE Greenville Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Greenville community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background Local Roots in Greenville Our team includes lifelong Greenville residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sales in the Heritage Historic District 17 , Greenville’s textile and railroad heritage 2 , and growth in local education sectors (e.g., Greenville Technical College programs) 27 . Collective Experience With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Greenville Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
