Entrenched Racism Targets a Black Immigrant Entrepreneur In Seneca

The story of Mrs. Pierce, a Ugandan-born entrepreneur and widow of Doyle Pierce, exposes a disturbing web of corruption, racism, and malicious intent within the small community of Seneca, South Carolina. What began as a probate dispute over Doyle Pierce’s estate escalated into a targeted campaign to destroy Mrs. Pierce’s reputation, livelihood, and life. This campaign appears to be spearheaded by Richard Hunt McDuff, a well-connected local attorney, and involved the participation of the Seneca Police Department, the City Council, and the Solicitor’s Office. Through a calculated series of lies, defamation, and legal manipulations, McDuff and his clients sought to have Mrs. Pierce arrested, deported, and falsely portrayed as a criminal—all while protecting the true culprits and covering up their own misdeeds. The driving force seems to be a combination of racism and greed.

The Origins of the Malice: A Widow's Battle for Justice

Mrs. Pierce’s troubles began almost immediately after the death of her husband, Doyle Pierce, in September 2020. As the surviving spouse, she was left to manage the estate while grappling with her profound loss. Despite Doyle’s will leaving her about half of the estate—a distribution aligned with South Carolina’s intestate succession laws—the situation quickly turned hostile. Doyle's estranged children, particularly his son Jared Adam Pierce, harbored resentment towards Mrs. Pierce. It is unclear where this resentment stemmed from. Prior to Mr. Pierce's death, his son had worked for Dorothy in a high-paying travel job, installing and repairing machines. This animosity erupted shortly after Doyle’s death when Jared, according to Mrs. Pierce and a witness, chased her, threatened to kill her, and hurled racial slurs at her.

Multiple 911 calls were made during this violent altercation, yet the Oconee County Sheriff's Office has repeatedly refused to provide a report, effectively allowing this incident to vanish from official records and silencing Mrs. Pierce’s account of events. In Oconee County, justice is clearly not for all.

Following this initial aggression, Jared Pierce began spreading a narrative that Mrs. Pierce was a criminal. This falsehood began to take root within the community, laying the groundwork for a broader campaign of harassment and defamation. It was at this point that Jared hired Richard Hunt McDuff, a deeply entrenched figure in Oconee County’s legal landscape, to lead the charge against Mrs. Pierce.

McDuff, although not involved in the initial confrontation, quickly became the architect of a more sophisticated and insidious campaign to destroy Mrs. Pierce. He used his influence and connections to manipulate the narrative, painting Mrs. Pierce as an opportunist and a criminal. Through a series of calculated lies and legal manipulations, McDuff sought to strip Mrs. Pierce of her rightful inheritance without any legitimate legal grounds. He wasn’t just interested in winning a legal battle; his goal was to completely undermine Mrs. Pierce’s credibility and isolate her from the community.

McDuff's involvement marked a significant escalation in the attacks on Mrs. Pierce. He orchestrated a campaign that went beyond the courtroom, engaging in a broader effort to destroy her life. By spreading lies and manipulating public perception, McDuff was able to turn the community against Mrs. Pierce, effectively setting the stage for the series of events that would follow. His actions were not only unethical but also deeply malicious, reflecting a calculated attempt to exploit racial and social biases to achieve his ends.

This marked the beginning of a relentless assault on Mrs. Pierce’s reputation, livelihood, and rights—a campaign fueled by deep-seated racism and greed, orchestrated by those who viewed her success and inheritance as threats to their own interests.

The African Trip: A Convenient Opportunity for Sabotage

Amidst the turmoil, Mrs. Pierce continued with plans she and Mr. Pierce had made to travel to Uganda. The trip was more than just a visit home; it was a business venture and a political campaign, as Mrs. Pierce was running for a seat in Uganda’s parliament. McDuff and his clients seized upon her absence to further their scheme. They convinced many in Mrs. Pierce’s circle—employees, business associates, and even customers—that she was a criminal on the run, never to return.

This deception was not limited to verbal slander. McDuff and his clients actively engaged with Mrs. Pierce’s employees, extracting lists of customer complaints and encouraging these customers to file criminal complaints and lawsuits against her. It was a time of global disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and like many businesses, Mrs. Pierce’s was affected by delays and supply chain issues. McDuff exploited these challenges, convincing two customers to file criminal complaints with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office. These complaints were suspiciously filed within 45 minutes of each other, suggesting coordination and further evidence of a calculated campaign to destroy Mrs. Pierce’s business and reputation. These complaints were both dropped shortly thereafter as the machines arrived after shipping delays.

The most egregious example involved a customer, Firewalker Hot Sauce, who had purchased and used a machine for some time before it fell over during a move. Instead of addressing the issue with Mrs. Pierce’s company, McDuff and his clients persuaded them to sue the estate of Doyle Pierce. This was a deliberate attempt to paint Mrs. Pierce as reckless and incompetent, endangering the estate through litigation—a narrative McDuff and his clients intended to use in probate court to strip her of her inheritance. McDuff was so brazen as to send Judge Johns, the Oconee probate judge at the time, defamatory emails stating Mrs. Pierce was a criminal and was never returning from Africa. Judge Johns should have reported McDuff’s behavior and recused himself, but this is Oconee County.

The Ransacking of Mrs. Pierce’s Businesses

Upon her return from Africa in January 2021, Mrs. Pierce discovered the full extent of the sabotage. Her factory in Seneca had been ransacked; everything except the machines themselves had been stolen—computers, tools, compressors, office supplies, and even the electrical infrastructure. Her storefront in Anderson and her operations warehouse in Oconee County had also been targeted. The key to her factory had been inexplicably turned over to the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office at the request of McDuff, further complicating her efforts to secure her property.

Mrs. Pierce immediately reported the theft to the Seneca Police, but instead of investigating the crime, they turned their focus on her. Under the leadership of Chief Bowling, the Seneca Police launched what they claimed was an investigation, but in reality, it was an effort to discredit Mrs. Pierce, cover up the theft, and protect their criminal friends at Clements Electrical. They ignored the obvious evidence pointing to Clements Electrical, a company that had installed the wiring in Mrs. Pierce’s factory. The police knew Clements Electrical had stolen the wiring, yet they did nothing. Instead, they dug into Mrs. Pierce’s past, trying to find any shred of evidence they could use to justify their treatment of her as a suspect rather than a victim, in a gross display of police racism and corruption.

The Role of McDuff in Spreading Lies and Manipulating the Community

McDuff’s malicious actions didn’t stop at legal manipulations. He actively spread falsehoods within the community, leveraging his influence to convince others that Mrs. Pierce was a criminal. He provided legal advice to Mrs. Pierce’s employees, encouraging them to file claims against her, despite the glaring conflict of interest. McDuff’s involvement in advising these employees and Firewalker Hot Sauce, while representing Doyle’s children in the estate battle, was a gross violation of legal ethics—a clear indication that his actions were driven not by law, but by malice.

The influence McDuff wielded was far-reaching. He was the attorney for the Seneca Upstate Journal Newspaper, which published defamatory articles about Mrs. Pierce. These articles, filled with lies and distortions, were a key part of the campaign to turn the community against her. Mrs. Pierce became aware of the impending smear campaign only the day before the planned publication of the articles. She demanded an interview with the Journal, providing them with overwhelming evidence to refute the false claims they planned to publish. Yet, the newspaper disregarded her evidence, choosing instead to publish the defamatory articles. This was a deliberate effort to deny Mrs. Pierce a voice, further isolating her from the community and reinforcing the false narrative that McDuff had carefully constructed.

The Seneca Police: A Driving Force in the Smear Campaign

The participation of the Seneca Police Department in this campaign cannot be overstated. Chief Bowling and his officers not only failed to investigate the crimes against Mrs. Pierce, but they also actively participated in the effort to discredit her. In a meeting with Mrs. Pierce in March 2023, Chief Bowling agreed to reopen the investigation into the theft at her factory. However, this was a mere formality as a result of external pressure; the reopened investigation, led by investigator Make Teramano, was another sham.

Instead of searching for Mrs. Pierce’s stolen items or holding the criminals accountable, Teramano focused on trying to pin a crime on Mrs. Pierce. He attempted to claim that Mrs. Pierce hadn’t paid her bills—a baseless accusation easily disproven by the receipts Mrs. Pierce provided. But the intent was clear: the Seneca Police were determined to find or fabricate a reason to justify their mistreatment of Mrs. Pierce. They were so desperate that they essentially argued that if she had not paid her bills, then the criminals had the right to steal her belongings. Apparently, there is new "law" in Seneca that says if you are an immigrant black woman and don’t pay a bill then all your stuff can be stolen, as long as the thieves are friends with the cops.

One of the most damning actions taken by the Seneca Police was their attempt to accuse Mrs. Pierce of insurance fraud. They alleged that she had falsely reported her manufacturing machines as stolen in order to file an insurance claim. This was a blatant lie—Mrs. Pierce had never reported her machines stolen, as evidenced by the police report she filed. The machines were simply moved to a new location, but the police, desperate to cover up their corrupt investigation, twisted this fact into an accusation of fraud.

These lies permeated the upper echelons of Oconee County society. Scott Moulder, the city manager, told me that Mrs. Pierce was a criminal based on information from the Seneca Police. McDuff repeated this narrative in a deposition. The smear campaign worked exceptionally well, influencing judges and professionals alike, ensuring that Mrs. Pierce could not survive in Seneca. This was a well-coordinated effort to strip her of her inheritance and destroy her life.

The Seneca City Council and Mayor: Protecting the Corrupt

Despite being fully aware of the corruption within the Seneca Police Department, the Seneca City Council and Mayor Alexander chose to protect Chief Bowling and his officers rather than pursue justice. I repeatedly addressed the Seneca City Council, presenting them with evidence of the police department’s misconduct and demanding accountability. Yet, the council remained silent, effectively endorsing the actions of Chief Bowling and his department. Getting rid of unwanted people is an age-old practiced skill in Oconee County.

In one of my letters to the City Council, he expressed his frustration, stating, “I have publicly and privately stated that there is corruption in the Seneca Police Department. I am stating this because I have read all the court filings and looked carefully through all the evidence. I do not believe any of this is confusing, or ever was. The police did not investigate the crimes committed against Mrs. Pierce and made no effort to hold the criminals accountable.” My pleas for justice were met with indifference, as the council continued to turn a blind eye to the corruption

The Solicitor’s Office: Silent Complicity

The silence of Solicitor Jason Alderman further compounded the injustice. As the lead prosecutor, Alderman had the power to expose the corruption and hold the Seneca Police accountable. Yet, despite receiving multiple letters and requests for clarification from Mrs. Pierce and myself, Alderman remained silent. His refusal to act or even acknowledge the situation allowed the false narrative constructed by McDuff and perpetuated by the Seneca Police to continue unchallenged.

In one of my letters to Alderman, I wrote, “Please verify that you reviewed both investigations into the breaking-in, entering, and theft reported by Mrs. Pierce. Did you find that the Seneca Police did a proper investigation into what happened? Are you aware of any criminal investigations made into Mrs. Pierce? Chief Bowling told Mrs. Pierce on the phone that he has in a police report made by her that she said her manufacturing machines were stolen. This declaration by Chief Bowling implicates Mrs. Pierce in the crime of making a false police report. Do you find this accusation credible?”

Alderman’s refusal to respond or take action left Mrs. Pierce vulnerable to further defamation and harassment. His silence not only protected the corrupt actions of the Seneca Police but also reinforced the narrative that Mrs. Pierce was guilty of the very crimes she was desperately trying to fight against. The ability of this small community to persecute and abandon an innocent person is astounding.

The Aftermath: A Call for Justice

The story of Mrs. Pierce is not just about one woman’s battle against systemic corruption; it is a stark reminder of the power dynamics that can destroy lives when left unchecked. The calculated and malicious actions of McDuff and his clients, coupled with the participation of the Seneca Police, the City Council, and the Solicitor’s Office, have left Mrs. Pierce fighting for her reputation, her business, and her life. Many people depend on Mrs. Pierce, and these attacks have taken a toll on the well-being of many, both here in America and in Uganda. This campaign to destroy her income was as effective as the plan to destroy her reputation.

Despite the overwhelming evidence of corruption, the institutions that should have protected Mrs. Pierce, like the elected officials of Seneca city council, instead turned against her, further victimizing her in her pursuit of justice. This case highlights the urgent need for governmental accountability in Seneca and beyond. The silence and inaction of those in power have allowed a false narrative to flourish, one that paints a Black immigrant woman as a criminal while protecting the real perpetrators of theft, defamation, and corruption.

Mrs. Pierce’s struggle is far from over, but her determination to expose the truth and hold those responsible accountable is unwavering. She will have nine hearings in the 10th Circuit Court this September 12th. She will be alone, acting pro se, standing against a dozen high-powered attorneys. Mrs. Pierce is a force to be reckoned with and has stood up for years now against wealthy and corrupt Oconee players who can afford all the best attorneys. They cannot let her win, or their ivory tower will fall. Her story serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of those who, despite being wronged by a system designed to destroy them, refuse to be silenced.

In the end, this is more than just a legal battle; it is a fight for the soul of a community and a call to action for all those who believe in justice, fairness, and the rule of law. The corrupt actions of a few have cast a long shadow over Seneca, but Mrs. Pierce’s unwavering pursuit of justice offers a glimmer of hope that, in the end, truth will prevail.