S.C. Code Ann. § 11-1-40 – Contracts in excess of tax or appropriation; diverting public funds

(A) It is unlawful for an authorized public officer to enter into a contract for a purpose in which the sum is in excess of the tax levied or the amount appropriated for that purpose.
(B) It is unlawful for an authorized public officer to divert or appropriate the funds arising from any tax levied and collected for any one fiscal year to the payment of an indebtedness contracted or incurred for a previous year.
(C) A person who violates the provisions of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and, upon conviction, must be fined not more than five thousand dollars and not less than five hundred dollars or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.