Skelton will stand trial next month
Published 11:20 am Wednesday, February 15, 2017
A former Charlotte Court House town clerk facing 30 charges stemming from allegations she embezzled public funds dating back to 2010 is set to stand trial before a jury on March 21 and 22.
In October, a Charlotte County Grand Jury indicted Holly Megan Adams Skelton, of Drakes Branch, for six counts each of embezzlement of public funds, grand larceny equal or greater than $200, other forgery/uttering, other forgery: employ or true, and computer fraud: larceny/embezzlement equal or greater than $200.
In an earlier interview, Charlotte Court House Mayor Stephen Walker confirmed Skelton worked as town clerk for two years and was initially placed on indefinite administrative leave. Skelton no longer works as town clerk.
According to online Charlotte County Circuit Court records, the alleged offenses took place on Sept. 30, 2010, Jan. 1, 2011, Jan. 4, 2011, June 1, 2011, Oct. 10, 2011 and Jan. 1, 2012.
The grand jury indicted Skelton Oct. 5, the same day the charges were presented. Authorities arrested Skelton on Oct. 7. According to the Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court’s Office, Skelton is free on a secured bond.
With Skelton having worked for the town, which is within the county, Charlotte County Commonwealth’s Attorney William E. Green Jr. is not prosecuting the case. Instead, a special prosecutor — Amelia County Commonwealth’s Attorney Lee Harrison — is overseeing the case against Skelton.
In 2013, a Virginia State Police press release named Skelton, then 30, along with Amy W. Covington, then 41, of Charlotte Court House, as facing several charges handed up by a grand jury.
Law enforcement charged Skelton with one count each of trespassing and conspiracy to trespass, both of which were dismissed that August.
Officials charged Covington with one count each of trespassing, conspiracy to trespass and larceny. Covington pleaded guilty to the trespassing and conspiracy to trespass in June 2013, along with a charge of embezzlement over $200.
The VSP said the 2013 charges against the two women were unrelated to the embezzlement charges against Skelton.