WEST VIRGINIA COMPUTER THEFT CASE INVESTIGATION INVOLVING GOVERNMENT AGENCY GROWSComputer Theft InvestigationComputer Theft Investigation
Posted 11/14/2005 06:00 PM

12 News has learned of an investigation into the theft of computer equipment from Harrison County government.
Story by Gabe Gutierrez Email | Bio

12 News has been investigating this story for months now. Monday, there was a development in that case. In September, we learned Clarksburg police were investigating missing computer equipment from Harrison County government. In other words, equipment bought with your tax dollars.

We knew their investigation centered around a county employee, using a local pawn shop to try to get money for his stolen goods. Now, there's an Order for Disqualification, a court document, filed Monday in circuit court. That's a request from Harrison County Prosecutor Joe Shaffer, asking for a special prosecutor in this case.

Why? Because, Shaffer says, he and his office are witnesses in the case, actually victims. He tells us, some of the computers stolen were from his office.

Court documents identify the man, but because there are no criminal charges at this time, 12 News has a policy to not release his name. In our investigation, and discussions with county officials, we learned the man they've been after worked for Harrison County as computer technician, a person responsible for fixing county computers. Including the prosecuting attorney's lap tops.

Shaffer tells us the two computers taken from his office fortunately didn't have any sensitive materials on them. They've since been recovered from this Clarksburg pawn shop. The owner of the pawn shop tells us, this is one of the most bizarre cases he's ever seen.

"There's always the question: You wonder 'why?' What motivates people," says pawn shop owner Sheldon Dawkins. "It generally boils down to a couple of reasons. It's generally something that requires them to come up with a lot of cash."

We did talk to the man at the center of this investigation. He said he didn't know there was an investigation, and then went on to say he had no comment.

County Commissioners say they have since accepted the resignation of the man. When asked to see his personnel file, the county clerk says she was told she could only release the man's salary. It was just over $35-thousand dollars a year. We were told we could not see his employment dates.

Will charges be filed? Shaffer says that will be a decision by the special prosecutor.