City officials in Williamson name interim mayor after mayor under investigation resigns

MINGO COUNTY, W.Va. – The city of Williamson has named its interim mayor following the resignation of Mayor Charles Hatfield, who is under federal investigation.

Ward 1 City Council member Joseph Bucci was named interim mayor during a meeting Thursday.

Bucci and Councilman Mike Casey were nominated last week during a special council meeting where the vote to appoint one of them ended in a tie. Pending Bucci’s appointment, City Clerk Alma Smith stepped in as mayor on an interim basis.

Hatfield resigned as mayor last week amid a federal investigation. He is expected to plead guilty to misuse of funds later this month.

Hatfield is alleged to have mismanaged more than $30,000 belonging to Williamson Memorial Hospital during his tenure as board chairman. The hospital filed for bankruptcy in October 2019.