Marshall County Assessor Eric Buzzard

The Marshall County Commission approved a resolution to forward a petition aimed at removing Marshall County Assessor Eric Buzzard, who is accused of seven felony counts of fraudulent schemes, from his elected position.

Commission President Scott Varner on Tuesday said the commission approved the petition that now must be sent to the Marshall County Circuit Court within the next five days for its consideration.

“After the Circuit Court reviews the information and feels that it needs furthered, the Circuit Court will send it to the Supreme Court for review. If the Supreme Court feels it needs handled further, a three-judge panel will follow the process,” he said. “We don’t have the authority to remove him from office.”

Varner said the decision to file the petition came about after receiving information related to Buzzard’s case from the West Virginia State Police and West Virginia Auditor’s Office.

“This is just the first part of the process. It’s contingent on the review process of the courts,” Varner said.

If Buzzard is eventually removed from his position, Varner said then the process to find a replacement would begin.

“I’m sure we would appoint someone temporarily if that happens,” he said. “We would seek those who are interested and move forward from there.”

Buzzard, 41, of Moundsville was arrested in June for allegedly partnering with a local car dealer to purchase cars for the Marshall County Commission, resulting in him allegedly receiving more than $30,000 in kickbacks from padded prices.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the West Virginia State Police with the Marshall County Magistrate’s Office, since the time Buzzard took office in January 2021, he and the car dealer allegedly collectively split a profit of $63,157 following the county’s purchase of automobiles, resulting in a $31,578 kickback for each.

Back in June, Buzzard pleaded not guilty to the charges and was freed after posting a $50,000 personal recognizance bond.

As part of his current bond terms, Buzzard has not been able to perform the duties of his elected position.

The car dealer, James Robert Meade II, 51, of Moundsville, was arrested Aug. 19 on a capias warrant by the Moundsville Police Department. Meade already pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraudulent schemes and one count of conspiracy against the state in Marshall County Magistrate Court. Meade’s charges stem from the alleged conspiracy between him and Buzzard to both receive kickbacks on car sales from Meade’s dealership, JB’s Preowned Auto Sales, to Marshall County.

Meade’s preliminary hearing is set for 2 p.m. Sept. 23 before Magistrate Thomas Wood, according to the latest court information.