On Monday, April 21, 2025, the South Carolina Supreme Court suspended Florence County Magistrate Tommy G. Mourounas due to allegations of misconduct.
The case is entitled “In the Matter of Magistrate Tommy G. Mourounas,” with case number 2025-000760.
The suspension was enacted through an order signed by Chief Justice John W. Kittredge, in accordance with Rule 17(b) of the Rules for Judicial Disciplinary Enforcement. This rule ensures that judges facing serious allegations can be temporarily removed from their duties to safeguard the judicial system’s integrity pending further investigation or proceedings.
The court’s order indicated that Mourounas had engaged in behavior that raised concerns about his suitability to serve as a judge.
Mourounas is not allowed to enter any magistrate court buildings in Florence County unless he is accompanied and has prior authorization. He is prohibited from accessing or modifying public records, court case management systems, or judicial databases. The order restricts Mourounas from accessing any judicial bank accounts, and notifications have been sent to all pertinent financial institutions.
Mourounas had previously faced suspension in June 2024 after repeatedly failing to appear for duty at the Florence County Magistrate Court. Former Chief Justice Donald W. Beatty described this failure to fulfill his responsibilities as a serious violation of judicial standards.
In light of Mourounas’s suspension, the chief magistrate of Florence County has been tasked with implementing measures to minimize disruption to court operations during this period.
The situation underscores ongoing efforts to uphold accountability within the judicial system in South Carolina. Further details regarding the specific nature of the misconduct have not been disclosed at this time.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
