Former Chief and Assistant Chief of Newton Volunteer Fire Department Accused of Embezzlement

Clay County’s neighboring county of Roane holds the town of Newton, WV. Last fall, there was an arrest made on allegations that the Newton Fire Chief had been allegedly embezzling money from the fire department. Sean McCarthy, Newton Volunteer Fire Department’s former fire chief and his wife, Celestiel, assistant fire chief, allegedly had been embezzling money from the volunteer fire department for several years, the earliest dating back to March 2009. Joshua Downey, the Roane County Prosecutor handling the case said that Sean McCarthy had posted bond back in the fall and that Celestiel had a bond of $25,000 that is expected to be posted by next week.
The two are accused of using several bank accounts to embezzle money from banks including Clay County Bank for the amount of $21,191.91, Premier Bank for the amount of $27, 975.00, Poca Valley Bank for the amount of $25, 645.28 in one account and the amount of $49,190.82 from another account, and 1st Neighbor Bank in the amount of $6, 325.83.
Prosecutor Downey stated that Mr. McCarthy has 37 total counts against him. 27 accounts of falsifying accounts, 5 of embezzlement and 5 counts of conspiracy. Mrs. McCarthy has 10 total counts, 5 counts of embezzlement and 5 counts of conspiracy. Mr. Downey also stated that there has not been a court date set yet.