Margaret A. McDonald is a 49-year-old special-education teacher in Marlboro County, South Carolina, who was arrested on August 28, 2026, as part of a widening Florence County Sheriff’s Office investigation into allegedly fraudulent QVC refunds. Investigators accuse McDonald of conspiring with QVC employees to obtain more than $21,000 in refund credits for merchandise that had been purchased but was never returned. She was charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent, released on $10,000 bond, and placed on paid administrative leave by the Marlboro County School District.
Margaret A. McDonald Arrest
McDonald Was Arrested On August 28, 2026. Florence County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested the 49-year-old Bennettsville resident and charged her with breach of trust with fraudulent intent. [WPDE] [WMBF]
McDonald Was The Sixth Person Arrested In The QVC Investigation. Five former QVC employees had been arrested the previous day as investigators examined allegedly fraudulent refund transactions. [WPDE] [WMBF]
McDonald Was Arrested On School Property. Marlboro County School District officials confirmed that the arrest occurred at a district location but stressed that the criminal allegations are unrelated to her employment. [WPDE] [WMBF]
QVC Refund Allegations
Investigators Accuse McDonald Of Manipulating QVC Return Transactions. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office alleges she fraudulently manipulated returns involving merchandise she had ordered from QVC. [WPDE]
McDonald Allegedly Conspired With QVC Employees. Investigators say employees helped her obtain refunds for merchandise that had not actually been returned to the retailer. [WMBF] [WPDE]
Authorities Say McDonald Received More Than $21,000 In Refund Credits. The sheriff’s office alleges the credits covered merchandise that was purchased but never sent back to QVC. [WPDE] [WMBF]
Breach Of Trust Charge
McDonald Is Charged With Breach Of Trust With Fraudulent Intent. That is the same general offense filed against the other suspects announced in the QVC investigation. [WPDE] [WMBF]
$10,000 Bond
McDonald Was Released On $10,000 Bond. Updated Florence County jail records reported by WMBF show that she was released from custody on Sunday, August 30. [WMBF]
Marlboro County Teacher
McDonald Is A Teacher With The Marlboro County School District. The district confirmed her employment after news of the arrest became public. [WPDE]
McDonald Works At McColl Elementary. The district’s staff directory lists Margaret McDonald as an elementary exceptional-children teacher at McColl Elementary. [Marlboro County Schools]
She Is Certified In Special Education. State educator information cited by WPDE says McDonald has been teaching since 2016 and holds a multi-categorical special-education certification. [WPDE]
McDonald Placed On Administrative Leave
The School District Placed McDonald On Paid Administrative Leave. Officials said she will remain on leave pending resolution of the criminal case. [WPDE] [WMBF]
The District Says The Allegations Have Nothing To Do With Students Or School Funds. Officials said the accusations are unrelated to McDonald’s employment and do not involve district students, money or operations. [WPDE]
The District Said The Superintendent Has Authority To Take Employment Action Following An Arrest. Officials cited school-board policy while explaining McDonald’s administrative leave. [WPDE]
Wider QVC Theft Investigation
Five Former QVC Employees Were Arrested Before McDonald. Florence County investigators identified Jessica Demetric Purvis, Tameka L. Rogers, Imani Kadijah Rogers, Yaysher Damion Grice and Jaquanna Miesha Davis as former QVC employees charged with breach of trust with fraudulent intent. [WMBF]
Investigators Say The Five Former Employees Manipulated More Than $58,000 In Refunds. Authorities allege refund credits were issued for merchandise that had never been returned. [WMBF]
QVC Global Security Operations Is Working With Investigators. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office said QVC’s internal security operation has assisted with the criminal investigation. [WPDE]
Seventh Arrest
Another QVC Customer Was Arrested Three Days After McDonald. Investigators arrested 52-year-old Alma Londell Easterling of Bennettsville on August 31 and charged her with breach of trust with fraudulent intent. [WPDE] [WMBF]
Easterling Is Accused Of Receiving More Than $28,000 In Fraudulent Refund Credits. Authorities allege she also conspired with QVC employees to obtain refunds for merchandise she did not return. [WPDE]
Investigation Continues
At Least Seven People Have Been Arrested. The investigation now includes five former QVC employees and two alleged customer participants, McDonald and Easterling. [WPDE]
Authorities Say Additional Arrests Are Possible. The Florence County Sheriff’s Office continues to describe the investigation as active and says more arrests may follow. [WPDE] [WMBF]
Case Status
McDonald Is Free On $10,000 Bond. She remains on paid administrative leave from the Marlboro County School District while the criminal case proceeds. [WMBF]
The QVC Investigation Remains Active. Authorities have not announced that the investigation is complete and continue to warn that additional arrests could occur. [WPDE]
The Charge Against McDonald Has Not Been Proven In Court. She remains accused rather than convicted while the South Carolina criminal case proceeds.
One of the first political bloggers in the world, Oliver Willis has operated OliverWillis.com since 2000. Contributor at Media Matters for America and The American Independent. Follow on Twitter at @owillis. Full bio.