Clemson councilwoman arrested

Thirteenth Circuit Solicitor, Bob Ariail, announced today that following an investigation by his office with the assistance of SLED, Clemson City Councilwoman, Elouise James, has been arrested on criminal charges in both Greenville and Pickens counties. In Greenville she is charged with two counts of Forgery and one count of Obstruction of Justice. In Pickens she is charged with two counts of Obtaining Goods by False Pretenses and one count of Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult.

The charges allege that, in an effort to help her daughter, Kristen James, avoid legal problems she misrepresented that her daughter had cancer and collected money on her daughter’s behalf, forged a statement from the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas to avoid her daughter’s prosecution; and Mrs. James used her power of attorney to obtain a reverse mortgage on her mother’s home in order to pay restitution and probation fees for her daughter. If convicted of all charges Councilwoman James face 21 years in prison. “Mrs. James is in an elected position of trust which she has abused by these actions,” said Ariail.

James has been released on personal recognizance bonds for all charges.