Valley Grove Credit Union Boss Nabbed in $156K Heist

WHEELING, WEST VIRGINIA – Kathleen Gramlich, 65, of Valley Grove, West Virginia, traded her fiduciary duty for personal gain, admitting in federal court today to pilfering over $156,000 from the Ohio County Schools Public Credit Union. The former executive director now faces a reckoning for betraying the trust placed in her.

According to United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, Gramlich didn’t just mismanage funds; she systematically siphoned them off to settle her own debts. The scheme, uncovered by a joint investigation, reveals a calculated effort to exploit her position for personal enrichment. Details released by the DOJ confirm she pled guilty to one count of “Theft from a Credit Union.”

This wasn’t a momentary lapse in judgment, but a sustained pattern of theft. The $156,000 wasn’t lost to bad investments or poor oversight – it was directly diverted to pay Gramlich’s bills. The brazenness of the act is particularly troubling, given her role as a steward of public funds intended for the benefit of school employees and their families.

The potential consequences are severe. Gramlich is staring down the barrel of a maximum thirty-year prison sentence. However, the ultimate penalty will hinge on Federal Sentencing Guidelines, taking into account the gravity of the offense and any prior criminal record. Expect a lengthy and detailed sentencing hearing, where the full scope of the damage will be laid bare.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarod J. Douglas led the prosecution, building a case based on evidence gathered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the West Virginia State Police. Their combined efforts brought Gramlich’s scheme to light and ensured she will answer for her crimes. U.S. Magistrate Judge James E. Seibert presided over the guilty plea.

This case serves as a stark reminder that even those in positions of authority aren’t above the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves toward sentencing, bringing you the latest updates on the fate of Kathleen Gramlich and the fallout from her betrayal of the Ohio County Schools Public Credit Union.

RELATED: Kathleen Gramlich Charged with Stealing $156K from School Employees’ Credit Union