CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — A new prosecutor has been appointed to the trail of a Harrison County Commissioner accused of fraud after the first two recused themselves from the case.
Randolph County Prosecutor Michael Parker will now be charged with determining what to do with the four counts related to falsely seeking reimbursement for county-sponsored trips against Bernie Fazzini.
The Harrison County Prosecuting Attorney’s office recused itself from the case due to the conflict of interest after a private citizen presented to the grand jury in September and an indictment was returned.
Special Prosecutor Pat Wilson, appointed to the case from Marion County, then recused himself from the case in October, telling the court he was previously selected to lead an investigation related to similar allegations against Fazzini brought before the state Ethics Commission.
John L. Henning, the appointed Senior Status Judge, postponed Fazzini’s plea hearing until January in order to allow Wilson the time to step down and for a replacement to be named.
The charges against Fazzini are related to several trips taken between Aug. 17, 2011 and June 28, 2012.
Three counts allege he submitted a false and fraudulent purchase requisition to the county to obtain money “to which he was not entitled,” while one count accuses him of obtaining money in excess of $1,000 by false pretenses “by altering, amending and falsifying form and reimbursement receipts.”
Similar accusations were brought against Fazzini as complaints to the State Ethics Commission, which were resolved with a conciliation agreement signed in April.
It is unclear at this time how Parker and his office will approach the case.
The rescheduled plea hearing is set to take place at 9:30 a.m. on January 11.