Aiken SC mayor faces SLED investigation

Agency investigating allegations of ‘exploitation of a vulnerable adult’…

Investigators with the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED) have launched a criminal investigation into the Republican mayor of Aiken, South Carolina, for alleged elder abuse.

The investigation regarding Theodora Ely – also known as the mayor Teddy Milner – was requested by the City of Aiken Public Safety Department (ADPS) on February 29, 2024. According to SLED Executive Affairs Director Ryan Alphanthe agency was asked by the ADPS director Charles Barranco to “investigate allegations of exploitation of a vulnerable adult” involving Miller.

Sources familiar with the status of the investigation told us that the investigation has a “financial component,” although SLED’s statement did not address those reports.

Milner, the owner of a local restaurant and catering business, was elected mayor of Aiken on November 7, 2023 – becoming the first woman to ever hold the position. She narrowly defeated the two-term incumbent Rick Osborn in a Republican runoff election on August 22, 2023 – with a victory 2,135 votes (or 50.16 percent of all ballots cast) compared to Osborn’s 2,121 Voices (49.83 percent).

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“I am sure our best days are ahead of us, so let’s get to work,” Milner said at his swearing-in on November 27, 2023.

Osborn congratulated Milner on taking office and encouraged her to “find the strength within herself to overcome any challenges that arise.”

“We are committed to your success,” he said. “You will be our mayor. You will be my mayor.”

Milner, 77, has described herself to the local press as “just a goofy restaurant owner who loves to see the city move forward in a positive way.”

We reached out to the mayor to get her opinion on the allegation — and the subsequent investigation — but did not immediately receive a response. If that changes, we will of course update our audience. As a reminder, we have an open mic policy here at FITSNews – and our open mic is reserved specifically for those who face criticism on our pages.

The city of Aiken is located approximately 15 miles northeast of Augusta, Georgia and is home to approximately 32,500 People. A famous equestrian center, it is one of the richest cities in the Palmetto State.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR …

Want people is the founding editor of the news organization you are currently reading. Before founding FITSNews, he was press secretary to the governor of South Carolina and, before that, a bass guitarist and bar bouncer. He lives in the Midlands region of the state with his wife and eight children.

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