HARRISVILLE — A former employee of the Extension Service in Ritchie County pleaded guilty Tuesday to misappropriating funds and obtaining fraudulent reimbursements.

Stephanie Deem appeared in Ritchie County Circuit Court and pleaded guilty to fraudulent schemes as charged in a bill of information. The events happened between Jan. 1, 2016, and Feb. 29, 2020.

An investigation by the office of the West Virginia Auditor’s Office showed Deem sought and obtained travel and expense reimbursement on 57 occasions from both the Ritchie County Commission, Ritchie County Board of Education or WVU Extension Service, a release from Auditor John McCuskey said. Additionally, Deem misappropriated funds from an Ox Roast fundraiser and 4-H property rentals, the auditor’s office said.

Stephen Connolly, special prosecuting attorney for Ritchie County, presented Deem’s attorney, John Scott, with a plea agreement.

Per the agreement, Deem will pay restitution of no less than $6,159.46. Deem also agreed to resign from the Extension Service and to not hold a position in which she handles funds in the future, the plea agreement said.

Deem faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500 when she is sentenced Sept. 22, McCuskey said.

The State Auditor’s Office was appointed as the special prosecutor by the circuit court in January. The cases were investigated by the State Auditor’s Public Integrity and Fraud Unit in cooperation with the Ritchie County Sheriff’s Office.

“This is a great example of the swift justice our office is able to bring. From beginning to end, this case was initiated, investigated, and completed in less than six months,” McCuskey said. “This all culminated despite limitation of court proceedings during COVID. The public can be assured we will work tirelessly to hold government officials responsible when they take from the public trust.”