BRAXTON WOMAN GUILTY OF STEALING COUNTY FUNDS

(10/19/2005)
Kathryn Hayes, a former employee of the Braxton County Sheriff's office, has pled guilty to two felony counts of embezzlement.

Hayes' case coincides with charges just brought against an employee of the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department.

See Herald story 10/17/05.

In a plea agreement reached in Braxton County, thirty additional counts of falsifying records were dropped.

Hayes was accused of embezzling $18,777.67 from the county's general fund and other special accounts.

The shortage was found by the Sheriff's department's internal audit in May, 2004.

Hayes, a fifteen-year employee of the county, was removed from her duties last year.

The plea agreement says that Hayes must make restitution in the amount of $34,231.86. She must pay the county for $15,454.19 incurred for audit expenses.

Her sentencing is scheduled for January.