SLED confirms investigation of Darlington councilwoman, son over separate assault allegations

DARLINGTON, S.C. (WBTW) — A Darlington city councilwoman and her son are being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division in connection with separate assault allegations, the agency confirmed to News13 on Friday.

The investigation involving Councilwoman Elaine Reed and her son, Cisco Reed, came at the request of the Darlington County Sheriff’s Office and the Darlington Police Department and involves “incidents in their respective jurisdictions.”

When asked about the assault allegation against Elaine Reed, Sheriff James Hudson told News13 his department sought the SLED investigation “because it involves a Darlington city council person.”

A Darlington police representative said he was aware of an assault allegation against Cisco Reed and that the matter had been referred to SLED.

In a phone interview with News13 on Friday, Elaine Reed said there might have been a dispute of some kind but that she was not involved in an assault. She also said she was not aware of a SLED investigation.

She said the accusations are “gossip and rumors meant to demean” and paint a city council member in a bad light.

News13 has asked SLED, the sheriff’s office and the police department for more information.

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13 . He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook , X, formerly Twitter , and read more of his work here .

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