Charles Hatfield Embezzled Nearly $35,000 from Williamson Memorial Hospital
A former West Virginia mayor has admitted to stealing funds from a hospital where he served as the chief executive officer.
Embezzlement and Abuse of Power
Charles Hatfield, 61, of Williamson, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Prosecutors allege that Hatfield embezzled nearly $35,000 from Williamson Memorial Hospital for personal use.
Hatfield faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, with sentencing scheduled for September 12th, 2024.
“Charles Hatfield abused a position of trust and diverted funds for personal gain from a community hospital at a time when he knew the hospital and its employees were financially vulnerable,” stated U.S. Attorney Will Thompson.
Double Duty and Downfall
Court records show that Hatfield initially took over as the hospital’s interim CEO in 2018 before being permanently appointed. However, he was removed from his position in 2019, coinciding with the 76-bed hospital filing for bankruptcy.
Adding another layer to this story, Hatfield was elected Mayor of Williamson in 2017, re-elected in 2021, and resigned earlier this month as the federal investigation unfolded.
Details of the Embezzlement Scheme
Prosecutors revealed that Hatfield admitted to using nearly $9,200 of hospital funds to settle a lawsuit related to unpaid real estate taxes and homeowners fees for a condominium he owned in Florida. Additionally, just before leaving his role as CEO, Hatfield allegedly authorized the transfer of nearly $26,000 in hospital funds to a real estate firm he owned.
