WAYNE, W.Va. — The Wayne County Commission voted unanimously Wednesday to file a petition with the state Supreme Court seeking the removal of Wayne County Assessor Eric Hodges from his elected office.
Hodges, 41, was charged last week with felony embezzlement. He allegedly spent more than $5,000 on personal items with the county’s credit card. He’s currently free on bond and attended Wednesday’s meeting with his attorney, Ashley Lockwood, who called the commission’s move premature.
“It’s our position that this is premature and accordingly inappropriate, there has been no evidence established by any standard of proof in any court of law and it is our position this is a premature proceeding,” Lockwood said according to WSAZ-TV.
The commission said it was its responsibility to protect the taxpayers’ dollars.
According to the criminal complaint, Hodges used the credit card to buy tools, a rifle, pistol, ammunition and other assorted hardware items at a Webster Springs hardware store.
The commission’s petition will be submitted to the state Supreme Court which will appoint a three-judge panel to hear why commissioners believe Hodges should be removed from office. The process is separate from the criminal procedure.