Chapin’s new mayor is being investigated by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division at the request of the Chapin Police Department regarding an alleged Nov. 7 assault that is said to have happened at the town hall.

William “Bill” Mitchell Jr. was sworn in on Nov. 7, and WIS reported that “it appear[ed] as if town staff and officials were blindsided” by the “sudden swearing-in ceremony.”

WIS also reported that Mitchell said the following upon his arrival to be sworn in on Nov. 7: “We are moving forward with this and there is nothing that’s going to stop us. … Everyone will get used to this in a little while, but right now we are moving forward.”

According to the town codes, newly-elected officials assume office “at the first regularly scheduled meeting in February following their election.”

Mitchell told The Post and Courier that a quick swearing-in would be “in the best interest of the Town of Chapin.”

Mitchell won the Nov. 4 mayoral election with 67.87% of the votes cast. Ron Colley earned 7.51%, while 24.32% of voters wrote in candidates. 334 Lexington County ballots were cast in this race, while 668 Lexington County ballots were cast in the Chapin Town Council race, which resulted in victory for Ainslee Bost (35.95%) and Warren C. Burritt Jr. (30.88%), who won the two open council seats. Gregg White earned 19.44% and Jerry Taylor earned 13.40%.

Election Day came shortly after the death of Chapin’s former mayor, Al Koon. Koon, 74, died on Oct. 17, a few days after it was announced he would enter hospice care. He was in the running for re-election at the time of his death.

In late October, Chris and Ryan Koon, the sons of late Chapin Mayor Al Koon, released a statement regarding the election, writing, “Please consider writing in Gregg White for Mayor. We ask that you write in Gregg’s name in addition to voting for him for Town Council. If Gregg wins both elections, he will have the option to serve as Mayor, and Chapin voters may then select a new candidate to fill his Council seat.

“Our hope is simple: to keep Chapin on the path Dad envisioned—a town that honors its roots while embracing a bright future. We believe Gregg and Jerry both share our father’s vision for the future and are well-equipped to continue our father’s work. We hope you’ll consider Gregg and Jerry on Election Day.”

A few weeks after Mitchell won the mayoral seat, town council met in executive session on Nov. 20 to “discuss investigative proceedings regarding allegations of criminal misconduct,” according to the meeting agenda.

“The Town of Chapin is cooperating fully with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division’s ongoing investigation involving Mayor Bill Mitchell Jr.,” a Nov. 21 Facebook post from the town read. “We are committed to being honest and transparent with our residents and will provide updates as appropriate.”

WIS reported that after the Nov. 20 meeting, Mitchell said, “I think the truth is going to come out, and it’s going to be great… Sometimes these things happen, and sometimes you just have to work through the proper measures.”

That meeting came a few days after Mitchell issued an immediate pause on new sewer tap permits and connections, according to a Nov. 17 statement from the town.

“As your newly elected Mayor, my first priority is to ensure the long-term reliability, safety, and capacity of our Town’s critical infrastructure,” the statement read. “Upon taking office, I have directed an immediate pause on all new sewer tap approvals until a comprehensive review of our sewer system’s current capacity, maintenance backlog, and growth projections is completed. I ran on a promise of responsible stewardship. This pause honors that commitment. We will resume issuing taps as soon as we have the facts—and only then. Thank you for your understanding as we get this right.”

The Chronicle has requested comment from Mitchell.