Former Charleston School Trustee Pleads Not Guilty to Federal Bribery and COVID-19 Fraud

Former Trustee Kevin Hollinshead faces 30 years for alleged bribery and COVID relief fraud. He pleaded not guilty in federal court and was released on bond.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 4:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WIS-TV Columbia and WCSC.

Federal Court Appearance and Not Guilty Plea

A high-profile corruption case involving the Charleston County School District moved into the judicial phase on Wednesday as former Trustee Kevin Dion Hollinshead appeared in federal court. Hollinshead, who represented District 4 before his recent resignation, formally pleaded not guilty to a five-count indictment. The charges against him include bribery, wire fraud, and bank fraud. Despite the gravity of the allegations, which could lead to a 30-year prison sentence, Hollinshead remained silent as he entered the courthouse, supported by local religious leaders and family members.

Allegations of Bribery and Contract Influence

The heart of the federal indictment centers on Hollinshead’s role as a school district trustee. The Department of Justice alleges that Hollinshead accepted a bribe from an unnamed consultant in exchange for using his official position to support a specific construction company. According to prosecutors, the company had failed in a bid for a district construction project, and Hollinshead allegedly agreed to champion their appeal. The identity of the consultant has not been made public, leading to calls for transparency from Hollinshead’s supporters who question why the alleged bribe-payer has not yet been charged.

COVID-19 Relief Fraud and Misuse of Funds

Beyond the bribery charges, Hollinshead is accused of orchestrating a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration (SBA). Federal investigators claim that in 2020 and 2021, Hollinshead submitted loan applications containing false information regarding his business's employee headcount and revenue. Once the pandemic relief funds were secured, the indictment alleges Hollinshead diverted the money for personal use. Most notably, court documents specify that $6,050 of the relief funds were spent on a bariatric surgical procedure at a clinic in Tijuana, Mexico.