Water Board Member Paid $58K Despite 5-Year Absence

A West Virginia Water Development Authority board member was paid $58,300 over the past five years by the state, despite the fact that he never attended a board meeting during that time.

Citing meeting minutes, the Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Robert F. Hatfield last took part in a board meeting in August 2011 but continued receiving a $12,000 annual salary.

Hatfield’s term on the board officially expired in June 2012, but he stayed on the agency payroll until June 1, the same week the newspaper inquired about Hatfield receiving payments for missed meetings.

Water authority executive director Chris Jarrett says state law required that Hatfield be paid until the governor appointed a replacement last week.

Hatfield could not be reached for comment.