ROCK HILL, S.C. — A woman was arrested and charged with larceny after she stole three bottles of tanning lotion worth $348 from Ultra Tan in Fort Mill, according to court documents.
Lisa Meadows is executive director of the York County Convention and Visitors Bureau, which promotes tourism in the region.
The salon's manager told Channel 9 that surveillance video showed Meadows grabbing the product from an area restricted to customers on Sunday before her tanning appointment.
The manager said she was surprised by the crime because Meadows has purchased more expensive lotion from the store in the past.
Court documents show that Meadows was arrested Wednesday and charged with petit larceny for a theft under $2,000.
Meadows said she hired an attorney to care of the legal matter. She told Channel 9 on Friday that she's “totally innocent” and that it was an honest mistake.
"There's a long story behind that, and it will all come out in the court case," Meadows said.
Meadows oversees the bureau's budget, which includes taxpayer money partially funded through the county.
"For someone who is supposed to be helping our community, that's not a good example at all,” resident Catherine Johannesmeyer said.
"I wouldn't want her running anything for me,” Juice Bar owner Adam Carlotto said.
Channel 9 asked Andrea Cooper, Convention and Visitors Bureau board’s chair, about the safety of the money.
"The charge was not related anything to the CVB. The staff and the executive director do not have check-writing authority with the tax-dollar money," Cooper said.
Meadows was part of a board meeting Friday and discussed budget information with the board. Meadows was excused afterward from a closed-door meeting so other board members could address the issue. Cooper said no action was taken Friday because not all board members were present.
She said the board plans to revisit the issue in its next board meeting at 8 a.m. Wednesday at the Rock Hill Airport.
"It’s an unfortunate situation,” Cooper said.
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