WV Auditor Ripped Off Off-Road Shop for $450K

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Sandra Ball, 58, of Hurricane, West Virginia, isn’t just auditing books anymore – she’s facing the music for allegedly looting a local business. The former auditor for Mountaineer 4X4, a Hurricane-based off-road vehicle service and accessories shop, pleaded guilty today to two felony counts of wire fraud, admitting to a brazen, five-year scheme to siphon funds for personal gain.

According to United States Attorney Booth Goodwin, Ball systematically transferred money from Mountaineer 4X4’s checking account directly to her personal credit card between 2008 and 2013. The transactions weren’t small-time – a staggering 500 online transfers bled the small business of nearly $450,000. That’s a hefty price to pay for new tires and a few personal luxuries, and it nearly crippled Mountaineer 4X4.

The feds say Ball used the stolen funds to cover personal expenses, living a lifestyle Mountaineer 4X4 unwittingly financed. The scheme went undetected for years, highlighting a dangerous lack of oversight and a betrayal of trust. It’s a stark reminder that even seemingly mundane roles, like an auditor, can be exploited for criminal activity.

Ball’s sentencing is scheduled for June 1, 2015, before Chief United States District Court Judge Robert C. Chambers. She’s looking at a maximum of 40 years behind bars and a potential fine of up to $500,000. But the plea deal isn’t just about punishment; Ball has also agreed to full restitution of $445,164 – meaning she’ll have to pay back every penny she stole, if she can.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Hurricane Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Erik S. Goes is leading the prosecution, ensuring Ball is held accountable for her actions. This case sends a clear message: stealing from small businesses won’t be tolerated, and those who do will face the full force of the law.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The wheels of justice turn slowly, but in this instance, they’re grinding towards a reckoning for Sandra Ball and a potential measure of relief for the owners of Mountaineer 4X4. It remains to be seen if 40 years is enough to compensate for the damage done, but one thing is certain: Ball’s days of easy money are over.