FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- A former Fayetteville mayor, recorder and councilman faces a charge of embezzling money from the Tax Office of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

Tom Woodrum was serving on the Town Council when he was accused of embezzling money from his employer, the Fayette County Tax Department. Woodrum submitted a letter of resignation for his council seat, and another person has been appointed to that post.

He also resigned his position as chief tax deputy.

Auditors believe more than $60,000 is missing from county funds that Woodrum had access to. According to the audit report signed by state Auditor Glen R. Gainer III, examiners looked at reports from fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Auditors examined cash balances for the Sheriff's Department at the end of December 2008. "The results of our reconciliation indicate there was a $60,458 shortage as of that date," the report states. Most of the money came from dollars set aside to pay for jurors and witnesses, according to the audit.

A special prosecutor assigned to the case said a felony information was filed against Woodrum that states he is accused of embezzling approximately $55,000. When an information, instead of an indictment, is filed against a defendant, this usually means the defendant has agreed to plead guilty.

Ed Bibb, a Raleigh County assistant prosecutor, is the special prosecutor in this case. Bibb said Tuesday that he does not expect the case to go to trial.

Woodrum's plea hearing is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 10 in Fayetteville. Judge Frank Jolliffe, who retired from the Greenbrier County Circuit Court, will conduct the hearing.

Reached at his home in Fayetteville, Woodrum said he had no comment to make.

Reach Susan Williams at susanwilli...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5112.

FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. -- A former Fayetteville mayor, recorder and councilman faces a charge of embezzling money from the Tax Office of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

Tom Woodrum was serving on the Town Council when he was accused of embezzling money from his employer, the Fayette County Tax Department. Woodrum submitted a letter of resignation for his council seat, and another person has been appointed to that post.

He also resigned his position as chief tax deputy.

Auditors believe more than $60,000 is missing from county funds that Woodrum had access to. According to the audit report signed by state Auditor Glen R. Gainer III, examiners looked at reports from fiscal years 2006, 2007 and 2008.

Auditors examined cash balances for the Sheriff's Department at the end of December 2008. "The results of our reconciliation indicate there was a $60,458 shortage as of that date," the report states. Most of the money came from dollars set aside to pay for jurors and witnesses, according to the audit.

A special prosecutor assigned to the case said a felony information was filed against Woodrum that states he is accused of embezzling approximately $55,000. When an information, instead of an indictment, is filed against a defendant, this usually means the defendant has agreed to plead guilty.

Ed Bibb, a Raleigh County assistant prosecutor, is the special prosecutor in this case. Bibb said Tuesday that he does not expect the case to go to trial.

Woodrum's plea hearing is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 10 in Fayetteville. Judge Frank Jolliffe, who retired from the Greenbrier County Circuit Court, will conduct the hearing.

Reached at his home in Fayetteville, Woodrum said he had no comment to make.

Reach Susan Williams at susanwilli...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5112.