No charges filed against former Bluffton fire chief after SLED investigation; ethics hearing pending

BLUFFTON, S.C. (WTOC) - The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has closed its investigation into former Bluffton Township Fire District Chief Paul Boulware, with no charges filed.

Boulware retired Jan. 2 after allegations of policy violations. The Bluffton Township Fire District Board of Commissioners voted to recommend current Deputy Chief of Administration Derek Church be made interim fire chief.

Since then, the Bluffton Township Fire District hired David Hindman to serve as chief.

On March 14, 2025, the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office requested SLED investigate allegations of embezzlement involving Boulware. The case has now been closed with no charges filed.

While the SLED investigation is closed, Boulware still faces charges from the South Carolina Ethics Commission.

The charges stem from allegations given to the commission by Beaufort County after an internal investigation was conducted into Boulware.

In that investigation by Beaufort County, 14 complaints against Boulware were submitted to the commission.

He is accused of knowingly using his position to obtain an economic benefit by authorizing the payment of $13,810,72 to himself for unused annual leave.

The ethics commission also accused Boulware of failing to recuse himself from the promotion process of his son to station captain in 2023.

A formal hearing will be held in Boulware’s case on April 16, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in Columbia.

Boulware had been with the fire district for more than 30 years, beginning as a volunteer and working his way up. He was promoted to fire chief at the beginning of 2023.