WMBFNews.com | Myrtle Beach/Florence, SC | News, Weather, SportsMarion superintendent accused of embezzling $503,000

MARION, SC (WMBF) - A Marion County school superintendent has been arrested on allegations of public corruption, Solicitor Ed Clements announced Friday.

South Carolina Law Enforcement Division officials allege between March 2006 and January 2010, Marion District 2 Superintendent Dr. Nathaniel Miller, 59, of Mullins, converted an estimated $503,000 of school money for his personal use.

The usage includes paying mortgages, college tuition and rent for his children.

Miller turned himself into SLED agents at the Richland County Courthouse Friday and was charged with embezzlement of public funds. A grand jury set Miller's bond at $75,000 during a noon hearing on Friday.

Embezzlement of public funds is a felony offense punishable up to 20 years in prison and fines at the discretion of the court, according to SLED.

According to district officials, the board named Nancy Grice, the district's director of curriculum and instruction, as acting superintendent.

Gail Fowler, the Director of Personnel and Public Information officer for the district says that , in the meantime, parents and students shouldn't see any interruptions.

"I assure that parents and students that it will be business as usual," Fowler said. "Our No. 1 goal in this district is to make sure that our students continue to get the best education possible."

Many in the community, like Mullins resident Reed Hughes, say that if the charges are true, then Miller should have to pay for stealing from the schools.

"If anyone is doing something like that, they need to be punished," said Hughes. "I can't say he needs to be punished, cause I don't know if he's guilty or not, but if he's proven guilty, he should be punished."

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