U.S. Attorney: ‘Largest Public Curruption Scheme’ In W.Va. History 

Two former Berkeley County Sherrif’s Office employees have been indicted for bank fraud and stealing money from conservatorship accounts.  

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia Mathew Harvey announced a five-count indictment Thursday in Berkeley County.  

The indictment names Barbara Gail Gooden and Lisa Lee French, both of Martinsburg. According to the indictment, from 2007 to 2024, the pair embezzled cash payments collected by the Sheriff’s Office and manipulated conservatorship and estate bank accounts under the office’s administration. 

Gooden and French are alleged to have misappropriated more than $3 million dollars.  

“The indictment does not describe an isolated breach, but rather a prolonged and calculated abuse of authority by individuals entrusted with the stewardship of public funds and the protection of the vulnerable members of our community,” Harvey said. 

In carrying out their scheme, the defendants are accused of issuing fraudulent checks, forging signatures, misusing a signature stamp, and diverting funds for personal use. 

The alleged fraud included fraudulent checks drawn from conservator accounts and issued either to the “Berkeley County Sheriff & Treasurer” or to a private business, to benefit Gooden and French. In total, the defendants allegedly carried out more than 700 fraudulent transactions, including over 550 forged checks, withdrawing substantial funds from at least 59 conservator bank accounts. 

The United States also seeks forfeiture of any property derived from the offenses, including a money judgment. 

“The breadth of the conduct alleged underscores the importance of rigorous oversight and the necessity to hold those who abuse their authority accountable,” Harvey said. “Central to this case is the preservation of public trust. Public corruption and fraud committed under color of official authority constitutes a direct assault on the integrity of governmental institutions when public officials misuse their positions for personal gain, they undermine not only the functioning of government, but the public’s confidence in its most fundamental operations.” 

Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew Cogar is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government. Investigative agencies include the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. The Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office and the Berkeley County Commission cooperated in this case.

Read the full indictment below: