WOWK 13 News

Former Kanawha County Clerk employee accused of pocketing $21,000 of tax-payer money

Looks like crime doesn't pay! A pair of handcuffs rests, with the bracelet circling the face of Benjamin Franklin, on a US $100 bill topping a stack of money. (Photo Courtesy: Getty Images)

KANAWHA COUNTY, WV (WOWK) — A former Kanawha County Clerk’s Office employee was arrested for embezzlement for allegedly taking over $21,000 in cash from people paying back taxes on property they owned.

According to a criminal complaint, Elizabeth Marie Sampson, 44 of Elkview, was charged with embezzlement.

The complaint says Sampson worked in the Delinquent Land Account where she was responsible for taking the funds and transferring them to a different department for deposit.

It alleges she took $21,000 of that money and use it for “personal reasons,” like paying bills.