CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (AP) — A former West Virginia magistrate has been charged with embezzling money from a school in Clarksburg.
Former Harrison County Magistrate Tammy Marple, 59, was charged Wednesday with nine counts of embezzlement, news outlets reported citing a statement from West Virginia State Police.
During an investigation, a trooper found Marple used her position as treasurer at Emmanuel Christian School to convert school money for her own use, the statement said. Officials did not say how much money Marple is accused of embezzling from the school. No further details were released.
Marple’s attorney, Joe Shaffer, said in a statement Wednesday that the charges have nothing to do with Marple’s service as a magistrate.
“It is with Mrs. Marple’s great regret that these events have transpired,” Shaffer said in the statement. “She has, and will continue, to address this situation in a manner designed to keep the best interests of the school and its community at the forefront. Mrs. Marple has cooperated with this investigation from the beginning and it is her intention to remain cooperative and forthright throughout this process.”
Marple abruptly resigned from her magistrate position last month after serving 23 years and her name was removed last week from the ballot in the non-partisan race.
Marple’s former opponent for magistrate, Mike Weiss, has been appointed to fill the remaining months of her term, which ends Dec. 31.
