S.C. Senator Accused of Weaponizing Law Enforcement in Ongoing Legal Battle

Kimbrell files complaint against opposing attorneys, alleging they improperly advised a third party to contact authorities

Apr. 17, 2026 at 12:19am

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A highly textured, fragmented painting depicting the symbols of law and politics - a gavel, scales of justice, and a podium - in a chaotic, overlapping composition of dark blue, grey, and red geometric shapes, conveying the escalating tensions and complexities of the ongoing dispute.The legal and political battle between a South Carolina senator and his former business partner escalates, with allegations of weaponizing law enforcement and abuse of authority.Boiling Springs Today

South Carolina state senator Josh Kimbrell has filed a formal complaint with the state's Office of Disciplinary Counsel, accusing two attorneys representing his former business partner of misconduct. Kimbrell alleges the attorneys, Walt Wilkins and Lane Davis, improperly advised a third party to contact law enforcement following a heated social media exchange. The complaint marks a significant escalation in the long-running Exodus Aircraft litigation, which has already resulted in a judicial finding that Kimbrell and his wife violated court orders.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing tensions between Kimbrell and his political opponents, with the senator framing the entire episode as part of an ongoing campaign of 'lawfare' tied to his gubernatorial run. The allegations also raise questions about the appropriate use of law enforcement resources and the potential for public officials to abuse their authority for personal or political gain.

The details

In his filing, Kimbrell alleged Wilkins and Davis advised part-time Boiling Springs firefighter Kyle Gilmore to contact law enforcement agencies, including the Spartanburg County Sheriff's Office, the S.C. State Law Enforcement Division, and the Mauldin Police Department, following a heated social media exchange involving the senator and his family. Kimbrell argued this sequence of events reflected an attempt by Wilkins, a former prosecutor, and his law partner to weaponize law enforcement for strategic advantage in both the pending civil litigation and the 2026 governor's race.

  • In April 2026, Kimbrell filed a formal complaint with the S.C. Supreme Court's Office of Disciplinary Counsel.
  • Last summer, news of the Exodus Aircraft case was first reported by FITSNews.

The players

Josh Kimbrell

A South Carolina state senator and gubernatorial candidate who is embroiled in an ongoing legal battle with his former business partner.

Walt Wilkins

A Greenville, S.C. attorney and former prosecutor who is representing Kimbrell's former business partner, Frank George Rogers, in the Exodus Aircraft litigation.

Lane Davis

A Greenville, S.C. attorney and law partner of Walt Wilkins, who is also representing Kimbrell's former business partner in the Exodus Aircraft litigation.

Kyle Gilmore

A part-time Boiling Springs, S.C. firefighter who is the spouse of a contractor connected to Exodus Aircraft and who allegedly made personal attacks against Kimbrell and his wife on Facebook.

Frank George Rogers

Kimbrell's former business partner who is suing Kimbrell and his wife in the Exodus Aircraft case.

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What they’re saying

“We have never represented Kyle Garrison or his wife. We have never even spoken to Kyle Garrison or his wife. We have never instructed Kyle Garrison or his wife to contact any law enforcement agency and we have never communicated with them about the inappropriate Facebook posts published by Senator Kimbrell where he threatened to interfere with the funding of a local fire department. Our firm's lack of involvement can be readily and independently confirmed by merely interviewing the parties involved.”

— Walt Wilkins and Lane Davis, Attorneys

“Josh Kimbrell is apparently attempting to defend a lawsuit against him with completely false and totally untrue statements.”

— Walt Wilkins and Lane Davis, Attorneys

What’s next

The Office of Disciplinary Counsel will determine whether Kimbrell's complaint warrants a formal investigation or dismissal at intake. Meanwhile, the underlying civil case continues to move forward in Greenville County, where the stakes remain substantial.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing tensions between Kimbrell and his political opponents, with allegations of weaponizing law enforcement and abuse of authority for personal or political gain. The intersecting issues of litigation, politics, and now professional discipline underscore the complex and high-stakes nature of this ongoing dispute.