GILMER COMMISSIONER FACING 15 COUNTS

(11/26/2005)
Gilmer County commissioner Larry Chapman is facing 15 more charges for selling merchandise from his Glenville Western Auto Store to various Gilmer County agencies.

A total of 22 charges have been lodged against the commissioner, claiming he is benefiting from "pecuniary interests" in the sale of goods to the county.

Chapman has denied any wrongdoing in what he described as routine purchases, which helped the agency making the purchase to obtain items in a timely manner, not having to travel out of the county.

He was released on a $3,500 personal recognizance bond.

Gilmer Magistrates Bob Minigh and Carol Wolfe have recused themselves in these cases. Magistrate Beth Smith of Braxton County has been appointed along with special prosecutor, Leslie Maze of Wirt County.