BY FRANK DELANO

Barbara J. Worrell of Colonial Beach was arrested and jailed yesterday on 13 felony charges of embezzlement from the Colonial Beach schools.

Worrell, a former school finance director, was arrested at her son's home about 6:30 p.m. and taken to the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw. She is scheduled to appear today in Westmoreland General District Court, said Westmoreland County Attorney Dean J. Atkins.

Atkins said the charges against Worrell were filed by the Virginia State Police, who began an investigation of her accounts last year.

Worrell's Colonial Beach home was searched by state police last week. Additional charges against Worrell are possible as investigators study records seized from her home, Atkins said.

An affidavit filed last week said the police were seeking evidence "relating to an embezzlement during the years 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 from the Colonial Beach Public Schools," including payments into Worrell's accounts and to school vendors.

In the affidavit, state police Special Agent Belinda S. Glover wrote that Colonial Beach School Board Chairman Tim Trivett contacted police after noticing "irregularities and inconsistencies" in Worrell's bookkeeping in May 2009.

Worrell was placed on administrative leave without pay in May 2009. Her contract with the school system was not renewed when it expired in July.

In 2008, State Police also investigated other school financial matters, but no charges have resulted from that investigation.

When asked last night if he could estimate the total amount of money involved in the 13 charges against Worrell, Atkins said, "Not at this time."

Frank Delano: 804/761-4300
Email: fpdelano@gmail.com