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Former West Virginia school system employee implicated in plan to embezzle $3.4 million | News, Sports, Employment


Former school system maintenance director in West Virginia charged with stealing $3.4 million from school board

Michael David Barker, a former maintenance director of a county school system in southern West Virginia, has been charged in a scheme to steal approximately $3.4 million from the local board of education. Barker appeared in court after his indictment on charges including conspiracy, mail fraud, money laundering, and theft. If convicted on all counts, Barker could face up to 300 years in prison due to multiple mail fraud charges.

From 2015 to 2023, Barker was responsible for ordering supplies for school system upkeep through the Boone County Board of Education. He falsified documents to show that the school system received large quantities of supplies, but only a small amount was actually delivered. Barker, 47, used the money to purchase a utility vehicle and make down payments on construction equipment.

The school board sent payments to Rush Enterprises, a business in Kentucky with an office in West Virginia, where operator Jesse Marks deposited the checks and shared the proceeds with Barker. Marks was named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the indictment.

U.S. Attorney Will Thompson stated that Barker used his authority to enrich himself at the expense of the children of Boone County during a time when the school system was facing significant challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Rush Enterprises did not respond to requests for comment.

Barker was released on a $10,000 personal recognizance bond and chose not to comment as he left the federal courthouse in Charleston.

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Photo credit www.newsandsentinel.com

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