The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Local News

October 26, 2009

$53,000 missing, but no charges yet

By Jessica Farrish

Although authorities believe that Fayette County’s former chief tax deputy allegedly embezzled about $53,000 from the county tax department, charges have yet to be filed.

Thomas Woodrum, 57, of Fayetteville, resigned from the position last winter and officials said he cooperated with the investigation and admitted to taking money from the county tax department between 2005 and 2008. Woodrum had been the sheriff’s chief tax deputy since 1997.

The case is now in the hands of special prosecutor Ed Bibb of the Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Fayette prosecutor Carl Harris recused himself from the case in February, citing a conflict of interest, as did Fayette circuit court judges John Hatcher and Paul Blake.

A report released by the state auditor’s office Aug. 31 revealed that a total of around $60,000 was missing from the county tax department.

It was unclear Monday why the official’s statements and the audit document reported different figures.

In February, Sheriff Steve Kessler worked with the state auditor’s office to help determine the amount purportedly taken by Woodrum, who is also a Fayetteville town councilman.

Bibb said earlier this month that he has been in contact with Woodrum’s counsel, Fayetteville attorney Chris Moorehead, concerning potential criminal charges in the matter.

The auditor’s report may be viewed online at http://www.wvsao.gov/cid/pdfAuditWebApp/Default.aspx. Marked “Agreed Upon Procedures” under the heading “Report Type,” the audit is available for download.

Text Only
Local News