WILLIAMSON, W.Va. — City officials in Williamson have appointed a new mayor following the resignation of Charles Hatfield.
A special session was called Friday where city council members named City clerk Alma Smith to the position after there was a deadlocked vote between two other candidates. A vote for council members Joseph Bucci and Mike Casey ended in a tie, moving Smith to be mayor until council meets again to make another move to fill the position.
Charles Hatfield announced he was stepping down as mayor of Williamson amid a federal investigation where is accused of mishandling just over $34,000 belonging to the Williamson Memorial Hospital. Hatfield served as chief executive officer of the hospital, which filed for bankruptcy in October 2019.
Hatfield allegedly used the money for personal expenditures, including for his own real estate company. According to court records, Hatfield is expected to plead guilty to charges later this month before U.S. District Judge Irene Berger.