Jody Barr
I'm the Chief Investigative Reporter with Queen City News in Charlotte. The reports you'll see here are long form investigations I've turned. Most of my work deals with government corruption, wasted tax dollars and politicians who choose to operate outside the rules.
As journalists, we can only do what we do with the help of sources. There are two things reporters must execute flawlessly: report accurate and true information and protect sources. If you've always wanted to blow the whistle and didn't know who to trust, let’s talk. Holding the powerful accountable for how they conduct the public's business and how they handle our tax dollars is the most important job we have as journalists. Feel free to reach me on Facebook, Twitter or by email: jodybarr@gmail.com
Jody Barr
MARLBORO COUNTY NEWS: 13 months after Sheriff Charles Lemon's acquittal on a federal civil rights charge, he's suing his county government, the current sheriff and chief deputy, the former clerk of court, and Lemon's former lead investigator - the man who turned over the body camera recording that got Lemon indicted and suspended from office in December 2021.
STORY:
www.qcnews.com/news/u-s/south-carolina/ex-marlboro…
1 month ago | [YT] | 37
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Jody Barr
Wow! Look what got into the Chesterfield County Sheriff’s Office jail. No, not the tobacco contraband, read further down into the press release. We call this “burying the lead” in the journalism business. This could have had a horrific ending.
2 months ago | [YT] | 274
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Jody Barr
UPDATE: For those asking for an update to our 'Seize and Destroy' investigation into the S.C. hemp farmer whose hemp crop was raided by SLED and destroyed 6 years ago, here's an update. The trial in Trent Pendarvis' civil lawsuit against the government agents who participated in and executed the raid of his farm will happen some time after August 1, 2025.
Depositions are still happening in this case and his attorneys are still fighting for discovery.
The order is attached to this post:
5 months ago | [YT] | 446
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Jody Barr
10 A.M.: 90 days ago, SLED Chief Mark Keel paid an $11,307 (taxpayer dollars) court ordered sanction for discovery abuses in a hemp farmer’s lawsuit. Today, Keel faces a S.C. Judiciary subcommittee for a confirmation hearing.
Watch the hearing live at 10 a.m. right here in this article link:
www.qcnews.com/news/investigations/sled-chief-face…
1 year ago | [YT] | 92
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Jody Barr
BREAKING DEVELOPMENT: The Marlboro County sheriff at the center of our 'Final Disrespects' and 'Lost Trust' investigations is now under federal indictment, accused of civil rights abuses in a May 2020 jailhouse assault of an inmate. The feds sought indictments against suspended Sheriff Charles Lemon and former Deputy Andrew Cook this week and got one count against each man. Video report coming from up later this evening...
1 year ago | [YT] | 1,031
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Jody Barr
Wow. FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation in Boston charge 3 people with federal crimes, alleging they stalked/harassed/intimidated 2 journalists over their reporting. Prosecutors accuse the men of vandalizing the reporters’ homes - including the house of one of their family members.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard of anyone being charged federally, accused of attacking a reporter over their reporting.
I had no idea this was a possibility. People also use lawyers and the courts to carry out intimidation. It happens, has happened, and will happen again.
2 years ago | [YT] | 74
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Jody Barr
2023 REGIONAL EDWARD R. MURROW AWARD: I had no idea what Lt. Trevor Murphy had planned when he left the SC Law Enforcement Division's office in Florence and headed back to Marlboro County.
He was just minutes away from giving up on his "dream job," and planned to take us along for the ride.
Murphy had just finished an interview with SLED after handing over evidence that would ultimately lead to his boss - Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon's - indictment and removal from office.
What Murphy planned was an absolute shock to me, and was a twist, tucked right smack dab in the middle of our 'Lost Trust' investigation.
Murphy turned in his gun and badge and walked out of the sheriff's office front door that day. What I didn't expect to see was the sheriff's lead investigator in tears as he hugged his coworkers goodbye, pushed the front door open for the final time, and walked past me in the parking lot sobbing.
Now, a panel of judges from across the country think Trevor Murphy's story is worthy of one of journalism's highest honors. I think so, too.
WATCH: https://youtu.be/GCcH6RwxCTk
2 years ago | [YT] | 34
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