Charles Hatfield, the former CEO of Williamson Memorial Hospital, has been sentenced to five years of federal probation. He is also required to pay $34,872.62 in restitution and a $20,000 fine for theft or bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds. Hatfield admitted to stealing hospital funds for personal use during his tenure as CEO.
Court documents reveal that Hatfield became interim CEO in September 2018 and was later appointed permanent CEO until September 2019. During this period, he had control over the hospital's finances and bank accounts. On May 16, 2019, Hatfield directed $9,197.62 in hospital funds to be used for a cashier’s check payable to an individual at Venice Sands Apartments-Argus Management in Florida. This check was used to settle a personal lawsuit regarding delinquent real estate taxes and homeowners’ fees on his condominium property.
Additionally, on September 25, 2019, Hatfield transferred $25,675 in hospital funds to Mid Mountain Properties, a company he owned. This transaction occurred shortly before he was relieved as CEO and before the hospital filed for bankruptcy. Hatfield acknowledged that the hospital could not fund its employee benefits programs at the time of this transfer.
Hatfield admitted that he did not seek authorization from the hospital’s board or any other authority for these transactions. His actions led to his resignation as mayor of Williamson on May 3, 2024.
United States Attorney Will Thompson praised the efforts of several investigative bodies including the FBI and West Virginia State Police-Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). "Today’s sentence provides a general deterrence for abusing a position of trust," Thompson stated.
The sentence was imposed by United States District Judge Irene C. Berger.