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The former mayor of a small West Virginia town has been indicted on charges alleging embezzlement and fraud.
A nine-count indictment returned by a Wayne County grand jury earlier this month charges Joetta Hatfield with embezzlement, fraudulent schemes, conspiracy and computer fraud.
The charges stem from her time serving as mayor of Fort Gay, a town of fewer than 700 people near the West Virginia-Kentucky border, from 2017 to 2025.
Former treasurer and recorder Sheila Bowen was also charged in the indictment, which alleges the two issued unauthorized vendor and payroll checks, overcompensated themselves for leave, and withdrew cash for personal benefit.
State auditor Mark Hunt said the alleged crimes were discovered during a routine audit of Fort Gay.
“These indictments demonstrate the importance of regular oversight when it comes to protecting taxpayer dollars,” Hunt said.
Investigators estimated Hatfield embezzled roughly $245-thousand dollars and Bowen embezzled roughly $127-thousand.
Both face substantial prison time if convicted.