She needs to sue city administration for covering up this clown's past offenses and allowing him to stay employed this long. Everyone knew he was a criminal years ago, this never should've happened, truly a shame.

This is the reality of Mauldin, SC. Don't for one second be fooled into believeing this is the exception or that this type of thing occurs just as often in any city. I just can't believe it FINALLY came out!! The last paragraph of this news report says it all; "Officials have told Patch and other news outlets they also can't comment because it is considered a personnel matter." A personnel matter?? Really. Really?? Kidnapping? Sexual assault? Whether she was an employee, or interviewing for a job seems to me to be irrelivant. I mean, aren't these felonious crimes? Actuallly, I really wouldn't be at all surprised if this gets swept under the rug and he gets away with it and keeps his job. This guy is very typical of the people who run Mauldin; the cops, the Mayor, members of Chamber of Commerce, the School Administraters, all the city workers. It's extremely pervasive in this city. It's AWFUL! It's like every stereotype tv show of the stupidest, most ignorant, redneck, good ole' boy bumpkin town. Mauldin is the type of place that gives the South such a bad image throughout the nation. I can't believe people actually PREFER this lifestyle. But they DO! They love this horrible town--- often so "lovingly" referred to as the Butt-hole of South Carolina! And yes, I AM moving away from here as soon as I get it all arranged. It's in the works. I can't get out of this place soon enough!

It sure would be interesting to find out what this guy did to get the mayor, city council, police chief, and everyone else in his pocket. Besides all the things he's done that the public doesn't know about, just look at the documented one we do know about.

Last year he took his city vehicle (not supposed to leave city limits) to MYRTLE BEACH, used his city credit card to pay for the gas, had a wreck while he was there (surely alcohol wasn't involved?), fled the scene, tried to cover it up, and lied about it when caught! Anyone else would've been fired on the spot, and most likely arrested too (use of vehicle without owner's consent, breach of trust, hit & run). But instead of being fired, or even disciplined, the city of Mauldin defended him with his own personal city attorney (funded by our tax dollars) for several months, until the charges were mysteriously dropped. I wonder how much Mauldin had to pay the victim to drop the charges?

Answers would be nice. And no, city of Mauldin, your usual "we can't comment on that" is NOT an acceptable answer.

Personal matter my butt. Our taxes are paying his salary and he's drinking on the job. Something very wrong here for sure. Yep Cindi, that's Mauldin for you. That good ole boy syndrome. Even Boss Hogg on the Dukes of Hazzard was better at protecting the citizens.

I would just like to take this opportunity to point out to no one in particular that turnout for the city elections last November was about 15 percent.

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It seems like the entire community is getting painted with a broad brush here and that cannot be fair to the rest of us. The alleged and/or established actions of Mr. Fincher and any attempts to cover it up are certainly incompatible with the type of community we all want Mauldin to be. But it would be a gross inaccuracy to paint everyone involved in every aspect of city administration - i.e., the sweet ladies at the CoC (who don't run anything but the CoC), school administrators, all the police, and all city workers - as corrupt and party to Mr. Fincher's alleged misdeeds. Just like swearing is said to be evidence of a weak mind seeking to express itself forcefully, this sort of mudslinging is usually an indication of a grudge being fed by underlying discontent with one's lot in life, thriving on ignorance. That's how you end up with a long rambling post that barely manages to address some legitimate concerns while completely maligning and insulting an entire population. That said, we can fully support the desire of those that are unhappy here to leave and make a life for themselves in the first place they find with no human imperfection, corruption, greed, and the like. Oh, and it would be best if it was a place with no glass houses.

Well written, Mauldin is a beautiful city and is working hard to remodel itself for the good of everyone. The good citizens of Mauldin should not be labeled in some broad strokes. Mauldinites, I know first hand, are proud of their city and want it to be the best it can be, they reflect on the past, how life was simpler and how it used to be. The School system is graded by either the state or the nation as one of the best, The Police Department is Nationally Certified and has tons of policys in place to keep the wrong persons for applying or becoming police officers. The Council even gave back "your" $45 extra "you" paid for trash hauling (If you are a Mauldinite", Mr Fincher will be tried for his alledged crimes and the jury will decide his punishment. Mauldin will continue to move forward and If you are dissatified with the dishonesty, level of quality service provided always bring it to the Department Head, City Manager, and finally City Council. If you are not satisfied with their answers or reasoning then it might be time to move to greener areas. In Closing, Mauldin is forward thinking city and is trying to have something for everyone, don't know if that's possible, but at least they are trying.

Refunding the above mentioned $45 was petty stuff, that does not excuse the last 3 Directors of Public Works Criminal behavior. Sure, if folks don't agree w/ your fluff, just run them out of town. Our streets are mess, my street has not been related in the last 20 years, but by golly let's just allow our PW director to drive down to Mrytle Beach in a City vehicle w/gas on the City credit card, get in trouble & then our City Attny represent him?? The residents did not get a say in whether it was OK to use OUR tax $$$$'for that? I thoroughly enjoy that the City owns the former Taco Bell bldg, while our streets are in such disrepair, our storm drainage system are way inadequate, we are paying for the sewer system that was allowed to decay with upgrades until forced......this list is far too long & the citizens keep getting short changed.

Correction to above: Street has not bee repaved in.........