By Jessica Farrish
A special prosecutor has filed an information in Fayette County Circuit Court, charging former chief tax deputy Thomas Woodrum with one count of felony embezzlement.
Raleigh County assistant prosecutor Ed Bibb — who was appointed to the case after Fayette Prosecuting Attorney Carl Harris recused himself — filed the information late Thursday.
The felony charge carries a possible sentence of one to 10 years in a penitentiary or up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine, said Bibb.
Special Senior Status Circuit Judge Frank Joliffe will oversee a Nov. 10 hearing in Fayette County Circuit Court regarding the accusations of embezzlement against Woodrum.
Joliffe was appointed after Fayette circuit judges John Hatcher and Paul Blake recused themselves.
Woodrum, 57, admitted earlier this year to taking money from the Fayette County tax department between 2005 and 2008.
A recent audit by the state auditor’s office revealed about $60,000 was missing. However, Fayette officials have estimated that Woodrum embezzled about $53,000 from the tax department.
Woodrum also served as a Fayetteville city councilman, but resigned after admitting to the embezzlement.
He is represented by Fayetteville attorney Chris Moorehead.
Woodrum cooperated with Fayette Sheriff Steve Kessler and auditors during the investigation, officials say.
The hearing will be held in Hatcher’s courtroom at 11 a.m.
— E-mail: jfarrish@register-herald.com
