Former Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Employees Indicted in Multi-Million Dollar Fraud Scheme

Two former employees of the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office have been indicted on charges related to an alleged multi-million dollar fraud scheme that misappropriated taxpayer funds and victim assets over a span of nearly two decades. The indictment, unsealed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia, details a conspiracy to commit bank fraud and multiple counts of bank fraud, accusing the defendants of systematically diverting funds for personal gain.

The federal grand jury’s indictment names Barbara Gail Gooden, 60, and Lisa Lee French, 48, both residents of Martinsburg. Prosecutors allege that from 2007 to 2024, Gooden and French engaged in a sophisticated scheme to embezzle cash payments received by the Sheriff’s Office. Their alleged actions also involved manipulating conservatorship and estate bank accounts that were under the administration of the office. The indictment further specifies that the defendants employed fraudulent checks, forged signatures, and misused a signature stamp to facilitate the diversion of funds, ultimately benefiting themselves.

The alleged fraud operation resulted in the misappropriation of more than $3 million in taxpayer funds and conservator assets. Investigators have detailed that fraudulent checks were issued from conservator accounts, with some made payable to the “Berkeley County Sheriff & Treasurer” and others to a private business, all purportedly to benefit Gooden and French. In total, the indictment outlines over 700 fraudulent transactions, including more than 550 forged checks, which led to substantial withdrawals from at least 59 conservator bank accounts. The United States is pursuing forfeiture of any property derived from these alleged offenses, which includes seeking a money judgment.

This case highlights the potential for significant financial misconduct within public institutions and underscores the importance of oversight and accountability. The investigation involved collaboration between federal and state agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office, and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office. The Berkeley County Prosecutor’s Office and the Berkeley County Commission also provided cooperation in the investigation. It is important to note that an indictment is a formal accusation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of West Virginia.

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