Senator’s Campaign Fueled by STOLEN FUNDS?

South Carolina state Senator Josh Kimbrell, a declared candidate for governor, is facing a civil lawsuit alleging he embezzled over $2 million from a joint aviation business—fueling a legal battle that could upend his political aspirations.

At a Glance

• Business partner Frank Rogers filed a civil suit in July 2025, accusing Kimbrell of misappropriating more than $2 million from their co-owned company, Exodus Aircraft.
• The lawsuit alleges Kimbrell created a shell company, Exodus Airways, LLC, to secretly reroute company payments.
• Funds were allegedly used for personal credit card bills, political campaign expenses, and PayPal accounts linked to Kimbrell’s wife.
• Kimbrell has publicly denied all allegations, labeling the lawsuit an act of political sabotage.
• A temporary restraining order has been issued to prevent Kimbrell from transferring or hiding assets during litigation.

Anatomy of the Alleged Scheme

According to the civil complaint, Kimbrell systematically diverted customer payments meant for Exodus Aircraft into a shadow entity he created with a nearly identical name. More than $1.1 million allegedly passed through Exodus Airways, LLC, a move designed to obscure the true destination of the funds. Additional accusations include unauthorized personal spending on credit cards and shared digital payment accounts.

Rogers, the co-founder of the original aviation firm, contends that these actions were compounded by falsified documents and forged loan applications, further enabling the alleged embezzlement. The court filings suggest this pattern of financial deception spanned multiple years and blended personal gain with political funding.

Watch a report: S.C. gubernatorial candidate Kimbrell responds to lawsuit alleging fraud – YouTube

Legal and Political Fallout

The civil suit, filed in Greenville County, has already led to a court-ordered freeze on Kimbrell’s assets, pending further hearings scheduled for later this year. Kimbrell has vowed to contest the claims vigorously and maintains that all business transactions were lawful and transparent.

Simultaneously, the scandal casts a long shadow over his campaign for governor. Critics within both parties have called for greater scrutiny of Kimbrell’s financial dealings, questioning his fitness for higher office while such serious accusations are unresolved.

Why This Matters

The lawsuit against Kimbrell thrusts financial ethics to the forefront of South Carolina’s 2026 gubernatorial race. If the allegations are substantiated, they would represent a major breach of trust, not only between business partners but also between a public official and the voters he seeks to lead.

This legal showdown could redefine the stakes for political accountability in the Deep South, setting a precedent for how private misconduct intersects with public service. For Kimbrell, the courtroom—not the campaign trail—may now decide his political future.