Paul Richard Spurlock, Bank Fraud, West Virginia 2024

Bank Fraud Rocks Hurricane Community

Paul Richard Spurlock, 66, of Hurricane, West Virginia, has pleaded guilty to bank fraud, a crime that has sent shockwaves through the community. According to court documents, Spurlock embezzled approximately $106,500 from the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows – West Virginia, a fraternal organization that operated the Odd Fellows and Rebekah Home in Elkins.

The Odd Fellows Home, which provided housing and care for orphans, widows, seniors, and people with disabilities, has been a staple in the community since the early 1900s. Spurlock, who served as the treasurer of the home’s board of directors for several years, used his position to embezzle funds from July 8, 2015, to January 22, 2019.

Spurlock admitted to causing an unauthorized check for $4,000 to be issued to his wife on January 22, 2019, and deposited into their shared Huntington bank account. He also signed at least 33 unauthorized Odd Fellows Home checks made payable to his wife and deposited into their joint account, using an authorized signatory’s signature stamp without his wife’s knowledge.

The Odd Fellows Home closed and was auctioned off in 2022 due to financial difficulties. Spurlock is scheduled to be sentenced on March 18, 2024, and faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison, five years of supervised release, and a $1 million fine. He also owes $106,500 in restitution.

United States Attorney Will Thompson commended the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in uncovering the embezzlement scheme. Spurlock’s actions have left a trail of devastation in the community, and the community is still reeling from the news of his guilty plea.

Spurlock’s case is a stark reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in financial institutions. The community is calling for greater oversight and protections to prevent similar cases of embezzlement in the future.

Spurlock’s guilty plea is a major victory for the community, and the community is hopeful that justice will be served. The case is a reminder that bank fraud is a serious crime that can have devastating consequences for individuals and communities alike.

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