CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

FORT GAY, W.Va. — Two former elected officials from Fort Gay in Wayne County have been indicted for embezzlement.

Former Fort Gay Mayor Joetta R. Hatfield and former Treasurer/Recorder Sheila K. Bowen were indicted by a Wayne County grand jury for allegedly embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars in public funds, according to the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office.

The two allegedly misdirected more than $370,000 of public funds during an 8-year period.

They have both pleaded not guilty recently in Wayne County Circuit Court.

Hatfield and Bowen are named in a 9-count indictment charging them with embezzlement, fraudulent schemes, conspiracy, falsifying accounts and computer fraud.

The indictment states the activity allegedly happened from February 2017 through February 2025.

“Hatfield and Bowen used their positions to issue unauthorized vendor and payroll checks, overcompensate themselves for leave, withdraw cash and adjust utility payments, all for personal benefit,” the press release from the state West Virginia Auditor’s Office stated. “Investigators estimate Hatfield embezzled approximately $245,000, while Bowen embezzled about $127,000.”

According to the press release, both women allegedly “manipulated the town’s books and computer systems to hide their fraud and misrepresent the municipality’s financial condition. If convicted, they each face substantial prison time and restitution.”

Hatfield and Bowen’s pretrial dates are set for Sept. 26 at 9 a.m. Their trials are set for Oct. 6 at 9 a.m.