News Summary
South Carolina State Senator Josh Kimbrell is embroiled in a civil lawsuit accusing him of embezzling over $2 million from Exodus Aircraft, a company he co-owns. Allegations include misappropriating business revenue for personal expenses and creating a fraudulent entity to mislead customers. After announcing his gubernatorial bid for 2026, Kimbrell’s spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as unfounded, attributing it to internal disputes. Legal experts indicate that the case’s outcome may significantly impact Kimbrell’s political aspirations and business dealings.
Greenville, South Carolina – South Carolina State Senator Josh Kimbrell is facing serious allegations in a civil lawsuit filed in Greenville County’s Common Pleas Court. The lawsuit accuses Kimbrell of embezzling over $2 million from a co-owned company, Exodus Aircraft, which he manages alongside his business partner, Frank George Rogers.
The lawsuit, encompassing 16 pages of detailed claims, alleges that Kimbrell directed business revenue from Exodus Aircraft to cover personal expenses, which reportedly include credit card payments, expenses related to his political campaigns, and joint PayPal accounts with his wife, Liliya Kimbrell. According to Rogers, this financial misappropriation occurred over a period of approximately two-and-a-half years.
At the center of the allegations, Kimbrell is charged with the misdirection of customer payments into a company named Exodus Airways, LLC, which Rogers characterized as a “bogus” entity. It is claimed that this company was created by Kimbrell to mislead clients into thinking it was legitimately associated with Exodus Aircraft. Rogers asserts that the fraudulent activities resulted in the diversion of more than $2 million in corporate funds to this misleading company.
The lawsuit further alleges that Kimbrell pursued clandestine loans for the company without Rogers’ consent, which included accusations of Kimbrell forging Rogers’ signature on documents to facilitate such loans. The situation has drawn significant attention due to Kimbrell’s recent announcement of his intention to run for governor in 2026, made shortly before the lawsuit was initiated.
In response to the allegations, Kimbrell’s spokesperson dismissed the lawsuit as “unsubstantiated” and described it as a retaliatory measure by a disgruntled business partner. The Kimbrell camp is confident that the facts will ultimately exonerate him, suggesting that these issues are merely the result of internal disputes within the business.
The lawsuit also references Thomas Blake Whitaker, a former banker associated with Kimbrell, as an individual implicated in the alleged fraudulent transactions. Rogers’ legal team expresses optimism about their position, citing strong evidence gathered during their investigation.
Kimbrell’s dealings have not been without past complications; he has previously faced challenges regarding Exodus Aircraft’s operational status, as well as regulatory issues with the Federal Aeronautics Commission. Current records indicate that contributions to Kimbrell’s political campaigns have been substantially lower in comparison to the sums he is accused of embezzling.
As the lawsuit proceeds, the implications for both Kimbrell’s political aspirations and his business operations remain uncertain. Legal experts suggest that the developments in this case could have significant repercussions for Kimbrell, particularly as he seeks to enhance his political profile ahead of the upcoming gubernatorial race.
The situation continues to unfold, and both sides appear poised for a legal battle that will undoubtedly attract considerable public scrutiny. The courts will now determine the veracity of the claims presented in the lawsuit and the future trajectory of Senator Kimbrell amidst these serious allegations.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Fox Carolina: Lawsuit Against SC Senator Running for Governor Claims $2 Million Fraud
- Greenville Online: State Sen. Josh Kimbrell Enters 2026 Competition for SC Governor
- WSPA: Lawsuit Claims SC State Senator Stole Millions from Upstate Company
- Wikipedia: Josh Kimbrell
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
Author: STAFF HERE GREENVILLE
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