Hanahan Mayor Faces Ethics Hearing Over Land Deal Allegations

Complaint alleges misuse of office and failure to recuse in city land sales involving Carolina One

Apr. 11, 2026 at 3:52am

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A serene, photorealistic painting of a government building or civic structure in a small town, with warm sunlight casting long shadows across the facade and surrounding landscape, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation about the ethical issues at hand.The formal ethics hearing will scrutinize allegations of conflicts of interest and lack of transparency in Hanahan's local government.Hanahan Today

A formal ethics hearing is set for Hanahan Mayor Christie Rainwater after the South Carolina Ethics Commission determined there is probable cause to move forward with allegations involving one of the city's controversial land deals. The ethics commission will consider two primary allegations against the mayor: that she used her official position to participate in a real estate closing involving property on Yeamans Hall Road while associated with Carolina One Realty, which had a financial interest in the deal, and that she failed to recuse herself from that same transaction despite the alleged conflict of interest.

Why it matters

The case highlights concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest in local government land deals, as well as the importance of public officials properly recusing themselves from decisions that could financially benefit them or their associates.

The details

The allegations center on two separate land deals in Hanahan. In the first, a property on Yeamans Hall Road was sold for $425,000 in June 2022, with the city financing most of the purchase. The buyer later defaulted, and the property was returned to the city. The ethics commission alleges Rainwater violated state law by participating in the closing while associated with Carolina One Realty, which received a commission. In the second deal, 21.3 acres on Williams Lane were sold for $1.68 million in February 2021, with Carolina One receiving a $49,500 commission. The complaint alleges Rainwater and Councilman Michael Sally failed to recuse themselves despite their connection to the brokerage.

  • The ethics commission has scheduled a formal hearing for June 18, 2026.
  • The complaint was filed in September 2025.
  • The Yeamans Hall Road sale occurred in June 2022.
  • The Williams Lane sale occurred in February 2021.

The players

Christie Rainwater

The mayor of Hanahan, South Carolina, who is facing an ethics hearing over allegations of misusing her office and failing to recuse herself from land deals involving Carolina One Realty, where she was affiliated.

C. Ray Wrenn

The Hanahan native and developer who CEO of The Wrenn Group, and filed the complaint against Rainwater and Councilman Michael Sally.

Michael Sally

A Hanahan city councilman who was also affiliated with Carolina One Realty and is accused in the complaint of failing to recuse himself from the Williams Lane land deal.

Katherine Farias

The former Hanahan procurement agent who stated in a sworn affidavit that she raised concerns about Rainwater's involvement in the Yeamans Hall Road closing due to her affiliation with Carolina One Realty.

Joseph 'Bo' Bowers Jr.

The former Hanahan fire chief who submitted an affidavit alleging that Councilman Sally attempted to obtain a fraudulent COVID-19 vaccination card in 2021.

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What they’re saying

“She expressed concern about Mayor Rainwater signing the closing documents because she was a real estate agent for Carolina One Real Estate, who was being paid a commission on the sale of the property.”

— Katherine Farias, Former Hanahan procurement agent

“I have served this community with integrity. Every decision and every vote I have made has never been for personal gain but for the advancement of my community.”

— Christie Rainwater, Mayor of Hanahan

“Aside from the $7,200 yearly salary as Mayor, I have never ever financially benefited from the City of Hanahan.”

— Christie Rainwater, Mayor of Hanahan

What’s next

The June 18, 2026 hearing will allow the Ethics Commission to review evidence, hear testimony and determine whether violations occurred. Rainwater has the right to legal representation, call and question witnesses, and present evidence. If violations are found, penalties could include fines or other disciplinary action.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of transparency and proper recusal in local government land deals, as well as the need for public officials to avoid even the appearance of conflicts of interest that could undermine trust in the political process.