The state ethics commission has upheld a decision that says Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull is guilty of state ethics law violations.

Shull must now pay $1,300, which includes a reduced civil penalty of $300 ($50 for each count, plus an administrative fee of $1,000).

In March 2025, the Ethics Commission charged Shull with three counts of failure to recuse himself from a vote in which he had an economic interest and three counts of attempting to influence a governmental decision in which he had an economic interest.

The decision stems from complaints filed by two Batesburg-Leesville Town Council members, Stephen Cain and Shirley E. Mitchell. In the complaints, they said Shull should have recused himself from town council meetings on items involving the town potentially starting a contract with the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission (JMWSC), a body Shull became a member of in 2018. 

Shull participated in votes and discussions regarding his appointment to the JMWSC during council meetings held on Jan. 13, 2020; Jan. 21, 2020; and Dec. 11, 2023. At the Jan. 13, 2020, meeting, Shull was removed as a member of the JMWSC, and Cain replaced him. Both Shull and Cain participated in the vote. 

On Jan. 21, 2020, a special meeting was held in which Cain was removed and Shull was reappointed to the commission. 

Every commissioner on the JMWSC receives a per diem of $250 a month, which is used for food and travel.

In July, during the appeal hearing, Shull, along with his attorney, James Randall Davis, appeared in front of the Ethics Commission panel, where the per diem was the main topic discussed.

An economic interest, according to the investigation documents, is defined as “an interest distinct from that of the general public in a purchase, sale, lease, contract, option or other transaction or other arrangement involving property and services in which a [public official] may gain more than $50.00.”

Davis, at the time, argued that the per diem wasn’t a form of compensation. He said the commission’s per diem plan was already approved and falls below the cap the IRS has on allowances. 

It was also argued that Shull was permitted to participate in his own appointment because his economic interest was no greater than that of any other commissioner board member. 

An attorney for the ethics commission argued that the per diem does constitute an economic interest because Shull received $3,000 per year as a commissioner, totaling $18,000 since he began. She added that Shull had been paid each month regardless of attendance. 

According to the documents provided by the ethics commission, Shull attended eight of eight meetings for the JMWSC in 2018, nine of 10 meetings in 2019, six of six meetings in 2020, seven of eight meetings in 2021, six of six meetings in 2022 and eight of eight meetings in 2023. 

The investigation documents state the JMWSC did not maintain records related to Shull’s mileage or expenses of which the per diem was intended to cover. 

“In this matter, the Commission is essentially tasked with deciding whether Section 8-13-700 (B) of the Ethics Act allows a public official to appoint himself to a position that pays $3,000.00 per year. For the reasons outlined above, the Commission finds that such behavior is prohibited,” the documents stated. 

Councilman Cain, a mayoral candidate on the Nov. 4 ballot, said the ethics commission’s decision to uphold the violations is “serious and deeply troubling.”

“The Commission’s findings–ranging from improperly participating in votes to failing to recuse himself from matters where he had a clear economic interest–call into question the legitimacy and transparency of the processes surrounding Mayor Shull’s involvement with the Joint Municipal Water and Sewer Commission,” Cain said in a statement. 

Shull told the Chronicle he was “not surprised” by the decision, adding it met his expectations “given their lawyer’s rude and unprofessional personal remarks.” 

At the appeal hearing, the commission's attorney said, “This is another public official who believes he's the only one who is capable to do a specific task. Another case with officials acting in contravention of the Ethics Act because of their own ego.”

Shull is not running for mayor again. Mayoral candidates locals will cast votes for on Nov. 4 include David W. Bouknight, a current town councilman for District 2; Stephen Cain, a current councilman for District 3; Larry McConnaughhay and Greg Moseley.