Joetta must pay back $250K to avoid jail, Bowen $127K
WAYNE COUNTY, W.Va. – Former Fort Gay Mayor Joetta R. Hatfield and Treasurer/Recorder Sheila K. Bowen have pled guilty after being indicted for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds in July, WSAZ is reporting today.
Bowen and Hatfield were charged with embezzlement, fraudulent schemes, conspiracy, falsifying accounts, and computer frauds alongside other violations.
But the pair may both avoid jail time, a news report said today.
The pair allegedly misdirected more than $370,000 of public funds during an eight-year period from February 2017 through February 2025.
The pair were paying personal utility bills and other items during the entire period. Lazer sources say gossip became serious as citizens observed the two women “living a lifestyle above their obvious means”
Hatfield pled guilty to the felony embezzlement charge and all remaining counts against her were dismissed. She agreed to pay $245,249.43 and is subject to a pre-sentence investigation. Hatfield could end up being in prison for one to 10 years if further evidence appears in the pre-sentence investigation.
Bowen pled guilty to the felony embezzlement charge and all remaining counts against her were also dismissed. Bowen must pay $127,004.41. The state recommends three to five years of supervised probation instead of one to 10 years in jail.
Both of their sentencing hearings are scheduled for Nov. 6 at 9 a.m.
Previous coverage can be found here.
