Man accused of embezzling $10K+ from Upstate fire department

Thomas Eugene Bishop charged with misconduct and embezzlement while serving as board chair

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:50pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of crumpled cash and shredded financial documents, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash against a black background, conceptually representing the alleged misuse of public money.A stark visual metaphor for the alleged embezzlement of public funds from a local fire department.Union Today

A 59-year-old man has been indicted by a grand jury for allegedly embezzling more than $10,000 from an Upstate South Carolina fire department for his own personal use over the course of nearly a year while serving as the board chair of the Southside Fire Department.

Why it matters

Public trust and accountability are critical for fire departments and other public service organizations. This case highlights the need for robust financial controls and oversight to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds, especially in smaller local agencies.

The details

Thomas Eugene Bishop is accused of taking the money between May 1, 2025 and March 26, 2026 while serving as the board chair of the Southside Fire Department. He has been charged with misconduct in office and embezzlement of public funds. Bishop was released from the Union County Detention Center on $25,000 bond, and the case will be prosecuted by the 16th Circuit Solicitor's Office.

  • Between May 1, 2025 and March 26, 2026, Bishop allegedly embezzled the funds.
  • On April 2, 2026, Bishop was indicted by a grand jury.

The players

Thomas Eugene Bishop

A 59-year-old man who was the board chair of the Southside Fire Department and is accused of embezzling over $10,000 in public funds for his own use.

Southside Fire Department

The Upstate South Carolina fire department from which Bishop is accused of embezzling more than $10,000 in public funds while serving as the board chair.

16th Circuit Solicitor's Office

The prosecutor's office that will be handling the case against Thomas Eugene Bishop.

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What’s next

The 16th Circuit Solicitor's Office will prosecute the case against Thomas Eugene Bishop. A court date has not yet been set.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of strong financial controls and oversight in public service organizations to prevent misuse of taxpayer funds, especially in smaller local agencies where embezzlement can have an outsized impact on the community.