CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Former Logan County School Superintendent Phyllis Doty was sentenced Friday to spend 42 months in federal prison after being convicted last August on eight criminal counts.
U.S. District Judge David Faber told Doty, 68, she had breached the public trust.
Beginning in September 2011, Doty purchased $12,000 in iPods and iPads with school system money and sold them or gave them to family members. At least 20 devices were stolen, federal prosecutors told jury members during last year’s trial that lasted for a week. She was found guilty of mail fraud, four counts of wire fraud and two counts of theft from a program receiving federal funds and one count of aggravated identity theft.
Phyllis Doty sentenced to 42 months, 3 yrs supervised release, & $25,083 in restitution. “It is a serious breach of public trust,” quoting Judge Faber. I strongly agree. This office takes public corruption SERIOUSLY. There is no such thing as a little bit of public corruption.
— US Attorney Mike Stuart (@USAttyStuart) March 1, 2019
The jury also found Doty used $6,500 in school system money to purchase items to be used as decorations for her son’s wedding including bread baskets, easels, drink dispensers, columns, and decorative urns. She told the purchasing director the items were wanted by the band director at Chapmanville Middle School.
Doty picked the items up from the school in July 2015 and they were used in the wedding. She later tried to cover up the purchase.
Judge Faber also sentenced Doty to three years supervised release and he ordered her to pay $25,083 in resitution.
In a tweet following the sentencing, U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said he agreed with the judge’s sentence.
“I strongly agree. This office takes public corruption SERIOUSLY. There is no such thing as a little bit of public corruption,” Stuart said.
Doty will self-report to federal prison by April 1.