BY PORTSIA SMITH

A Louisa County man who has served as a chief of police and a volunteer fire chief is facing a felony charge of financial misrepresentation.

Mark McGhee, 31, of Louisa was arrested Friday by special agents with the Virginia State Police after a complaint was received.

According to spokesman Sgt. Thomas Molnar, the complaint led to an investigation into alleged financial misrepresentation regarding the Trevilians Volunteer Fire Department Fund.

After consultation with Louisa Commonwealth's Attorney Rusty McGuire, McGhee was charged with one felony count of misrepresentation.

McGhee, who was co-winner of the 2010 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year by the Louisa County Crime Solvers, started working for the Louisa Police Department in 2008 and was named acting police chief for a brief time in 2010 after the retirement of longtime chief Stan Batten.

At the same time, McGhee was serving as the chief of the Trevilians Volunteer Fire Department. He resigned about six months ago, before this investigation started.

He is currently on administrative leave at the Louisa Police Department, which will begin its own investigation.

The Louisa County Sheriff's Office assisted with the ongoing state police investigation, Molnar said.

McGhee is scheduled for an arraignment on March 8 in Louisa General District Court.

Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Email: psmith@fredericksburg.com