West Virginia Press Association
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – On Tuesday, former Berkeley County Deputy Clerk Melissa Joanna Beavers pleaded guilty to seven felony charges. She admitted to stealing more than $272,000 from Berkeley County.
Beavers pleaded guilty to embezzlement, falsifying accounts, forgery, uttering and three counts of forgery of a public record.
Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney Catie Delligatti prosecuted the case. The West Virginia State Auditor’s Public Integrity and Fraud Unit lead the investigation with support from the Martinsburg Police Department and the West Virginia State Police.
The investigation uncovered two schemes that Beavers engaged in to steal money. One scheme involved forging checks, from the County Clerk’s office to Beavers Roof Repair, a company to which she was an owner. This included forging the signature of former Berkely County Clerk John W. Small, Jr. The other scheme involved cash deposits, in which she would alter records in order to steal the money. She has also admitted to forging documents related to her divorce proceedings.
Circuit Court Judge R. Steven Redding accepted the plea and set sentencing for December 9th at 10 am. Beavers faces a maximum sentence of 10 to 70 years in prison. She will also be ordered to pay restitution and fines. The West Virginia State Auditor’s Public Integrity and Fraud Unit is also requesting reimbursement pursuant to W.Va. Code § 6-9-8(c) for the actual costs of auditing, investigating, and prosecuting this case.
