| Gilmer Sheriff Mickey Metz has accused the Hur Herald of publishing rumors regarding an audit which the Herald said is being conducted regarding his department's financial records.
Metz told the Glenville Democrat that such reports are unjustified, saying that the audit was not being done exclusively on his department, but that "The whole county government is being audited."
However, officials dispute Metz's statement, saying there is a focused audit being completed on the Sheriff's records, in addition to the routine annual audit of county finances.
The sheriff's statement indicated the Herald's information was not accurate, and was based on rumors. The Herald's story did not say there was any wrongdoing under Metz, who took office last January.
The audit is reportedly being done because of complaints filed by Gilmer residents with the State Tax Department, over what they claim are irregularities.
The Herald reported that sources have indicated there may be at least $10,000 missing, but the results of the audit have yet to be presented to county officials.
Metz told the Pathfinder he is doing his own audit, and will live up to a promise he made to Gilmer voters to "clean things up."
The Glenville Democrat-Pathfinder reports "The whole matter came to light, County Clerk Marks points out, because the Hur Herald, a web newspaper operating out of Calhoun County, had received several e-mails from outraged Gilmer County taxpayers, in that their names had appeared, ostensibly incorrect, in the delinquent property tax reports...They had paid their taxes."
Metz told the Glenville newspaper "I don't hide the progress this office is making," indicating missing money was a problem before he took office last January.
Meanwhile, the Wirt County Sheriff appears to have been given a pass over his taking the sheriff's cruiser on vacation to Myrtle Beach with his girlfriend and her family.
During the vacation trip, Sheriff Andy Cheuvront had an accident with the cruiser, after which he received a citation.
The commission reportedly sent money to Myrtle Beach to retrieve the vehicle, which is insured by the county.
A County Commissioner told the Parkersburg News that if the sheriff makes things good financially, all is well.
The Herald was unable to obtain public information regarding the incident, which included the filing of a Freedom of Information request. The commission did not answer FOIA questions, saying all the records are open to the public in their minutes.
Then, during a recent meeting of the Clay County Commission, that body voted to ban the use of Sheriff's cruisers for personal use.
The ban came just days after Deputy Belt wrecked a cruiser while off duty and carrying his family to a ball game.
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