Former Volunteer fire chief, assistant indicted for embezzlement from department

ROANE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Two longtime members of the Newton Fire Department in Roane County are facing embezzlement charges.

A grand jury in Roane County indicted Sean and Celestiel McCarthy, who are husband and wife, on Wednesday.

Sean, who served as the chief, was indicted on 27 counts of falsifying accounts, five counts of embezzlement and five counts of conspiracy.

Celestiel, who served as the assistant-chief, was indicted on five counts of embezzlement and five counts of conspiracy.

Sean was also charged with the crimes back in August.

According to Roane County Prosecutor Joshua Downey, the pair embezzled more than $130,000 from 2009 to 2015.

He says that Sheriff Todd Cole's investigation revealed the pair would write checks to themselves, transfer money electronically, and they also discovered "questionable" reimbursements to themselves from department accounts.

An investigation was launched last Summer when Roane County Commissioners noticed discrepancies in the departments book keeping.

It's alleged the McCarthy's spent the money to pay credit card bills, cell phone bills, and to pay off a loan.

The McCarthy's are both out on bond.

An arraignment date hasn't been set yet.

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