Former Vol. Fire Dept. Employee Headed to Prison

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A former employee at the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Department, is going to prison for embezzling $91,000 from the department.

Mary Taylor, 47, of Barboursville was sentenced Tuesday to 1-10 years in prison during a hearing in Cabell County Circuit Court.

Judge Al Ferguson also handed down a civil judgement to the Village of Barboursville in the case. This allows the village to collect the money from Taylor.

In March, Taylor pleaded guilty to embezzlement, admitting to stealing the money from the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Department.

Taylor asked to be sentenced to probation and said she would pay back back the money. The prosecution asked for a stiffer sentence, saying this embezzlement put safety of the residents of Barboursville and Cabell County at risk. They also said she had the ability to stop her actions at any time, but chose not to.

The prosecutor's office asked for Taylor to pay restitution, but also be sentenced to prison.

Judge Al Ferguson said Taylor did not show remorse, and blamed everyone around her for her actions. He then sentenced her to 1-10 years in prison.