Citing the need to seek “forgiveness from God,” Union County Clerk of Court Brad Morris resigned Friday afternoon amid a SLED investigation into his handling of child support funds.

Ben Fox, communications director for Gov. Mark Sanford, said that the governor’s office received Morris’ letter of resignation late Friday afternoon. Fox said that Union County Probate Judge Donna Cudd is temporarily handling the clerk of court’s duties until Gov. Sanford can appoint a successor. He said the governor’s staff will begin looking into selecting a successor Monday and that hopefully one will soon be in place.

In his letter, Morris states that, effective immediately,” he was “vacating” the office has held for the past four years. In explaining his resignation, Morris writes:

“Last week, I began what will be a very long road of recovery. My physical and mental health must be my focus from this point forward and my energy must be centered on seeking forgiveness from God for my shortcomings. May no man that walks on earth be judged by his highest and lowest point, but rather by the goodness of his soul and his tender acts performed over a lifetime.

“Please remember the wonderful people of Union County in your prayers.”

Morris’ resignation comes as SLED is conducting an audit of the child support account overseen by his office. Persons ordered to pay child support submit their payments to the Clerk of Court’s Office which in turn issues checks to the recipients.

The audit was initiated after Sheriff David Taylor contacted Sixteenth Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett to request an investigation into complaints by child support recipients that the checks issued by the Clerk of Court’s Office had bounced. This could only have occurred if the account was overdrawn, something Brackett said should never happen. Brackett said he doesn’t how many people were effected but added that there is now enough money in the account to cover child support checks.

Preliminary results from the audit are expected next week. No charges have been filed against Morris.

Attempts to reach Morris Saturday morning were unsuccessful.

Morris the latest in a series of sitting and former county officials under a cloud of suspicion. On Monday, supervisor Donnie Betenbaugh, former sheriff Howard Wells, former tax assessor Willie Randall Jr. and Union County residents Lapriest Darnell Beacham and Willard Dee Farr were indicted on a wide range of federal corruption and drug charges.

Two days after Betenbaugh was indicted, Sanford issued an executive order suspending him as supervisor. Union County Council vice chairman Dora Martin is currently serving as acting supervisor pending Sanford’s appointment of a successor. Fox said Saturday morning that the governor’s office is continuing to review the matter and hopes to have a successor named in the near-future.