S.C. State Ports Authority Under Scrutiny Over CEO Severance Dispute

A lawsuit challenges the S.C. State Ports Authority regarding a severance package it agreed to pay its former president and CEO, Barbara Melvin. The package, valued at nearly $1 million, was ratified by the board months ago. The complainant alleges the board violated the S.C. Freedom of Information Act by failing to notify the public about discussions of Melvin’s job performance in a closed-door meeting in August 2025. The complainant also claims the panel did not vote publicly on the severance pay as required by a specific compensation statute.

The complainant, Frank Heindel, filed the complaint on August 17. The authority discussed the litigation during a closed-door meeting on September 22, during which a board member requested the package be formally ratified. The SPA chairman confirmed the agreement was ratified unanimously, with no discussion.