COLLETON COUNTY, SC (WCSC) -
The Colleton County Sheriff's Office says a lieutenant under federal indictment has been fired.
On Tuesday, Sheriff George Malone said he had no choice but to fire Fred Allen Inabinett who was arrested on Friday and charged with obstruction of justice and lying on affidavits.
Last week, Malone said he was shocked when he heard about the indictment and, at that time, placed Inabinett on administrative leave.
FBI officials say Inabinett provided information to a suspected drug trafficker, known as E.S., in the fall of 2011 regarding a car that was following him. According to the FBI, Inabinett told E.S. that the car following him was law enforcement.
An affidavit provided by the FBI states that a U.S. district judge authorized lawful interception of telephone calls by E.S. during the time period of Sept. 2, 2011 through Dec. 1, 2011.
In January, authorities say Inabinett told FBI agents that E.S. was aware that he had been followed by law enforcement in November and that E.S. had contacted him regarding the vehicle that was following him.
According to FBI officials, Inabinett told agents that he did not notify E.S. that it was law enforcement that was following him in November.
The FBI released the following statement:
"Public Corruption is the criminal priority of the FBI. The FBI investigates allegations of corruption involving elected officials, law enforcement officers, and government employees at the federal, state, and local levels. Any allegations of corruption should be directed to the local FBI office. "
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Fred Allen Inabinett
