Williamson interim mayor named after former mayor resigns under federal investigation

WILLIAMSON, WV (WOWK) — Williamson City Councilmember Joseph Bucci will serve as interim mayor after former Mayor Charles Hatfield resigned, according to City Attorney Nathan Brown.

Last Friday, the city council could not come to an agreement on who should serve, and Clerk Alma Smith was named de facto mayor. Hatfield recommended Bucci as the most qualified person for the job.

Hatfield resigned last Friday saying his situation with Williamson Memorial Hospital is a “distraction” for the city, and he wants it to progress without any distractions.

According to federal court documents, Hatfield is accused of stealing federal funds while he was chief executive of Williamson Memorial Hospital from September 2018 to September 2019.

Documents also say Hatfield is scheduled to plead guilty on May 30.

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