CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Mason County Sheriff David Anthony filed for re-election Thursday as county commissioners readied a petition to remove him from office.

Anthony, 42, of Point Pleasant, is being paid by the county but has not returned to work as sheriff since he was arrested in November on a wanton-endangerment charge, said Dave Moye, Anthony's lawyer.

Anthony's filing came as Mason County commissioners began drafting a petition for his removal, expressing concern over the criminal charge and how he spent public money.

"He [Anthony] wants to show the people of Mason County that he is absolutely innocent," Moye said, "and that's what we will see with his jury trail and with his re-election campaign."

Earlier this month, Anthony was indicted in Mason County Circuit Court on the wanton-endangerment charge, as well as child neglect with risk of injury, domestic assault and shooting near a dwelling. He also was charged with 19 counts of embezzlement, 18 counts of unauthorized use of a government purchasing card and fraudulent schemes.

According to the indictment, Anthony spent more than $2,400 of Mason taxpayers' money for his own personal use through the county's credit cards and checks.

Moye said Anthony denies all wrongdoing and has explained to the commission that the purchases were a misunderstanding.

"He was not indicted off of a police investigation; it was an audit that was used," Moye said. "He had explained everything in that audit.  . . . Everything will come out in end that will show no wrongdoing."

Anthony was arrested Nov. 10 after allegedly firing a gun over his 13-year-old son's head on Nov. 1 at his house. A domestic-violence petition was issued against Anthony, who reportedly was intoxicated at the time of the alleged incident.

Moye said the domestic-violence petition against Anthony has been dropped. Anthony has said he did not fire the gun at his son, and Moye has said interviews with the son and witnesses reflect that.

"Everything compiled in that investigation showed that this type of conduct was done on a regular basis," Moye said. "They shot weapons a lot in their backyard."

Moye said he advised Anthony not to return to the sheriff's department because the felony wanton-endangerment charge prevents him from possessing firearms. He said Anthony could return in an administrative role, but Anthony has not done so.

Chief Deputy Jeff Fields has taken over Anthony's duties.

Anthony completed a 90-day court-ordered rehabilitation stay in Virginia, Moye said.

"He is still the sheriff and has not been removed from office," Moye said.

Mason County Commission President Rick Handley said he would not wait until Anthony's case is resolved in court and called for his removal on Jan. 4.

The commission began drafting a petition for Anthony's removal to be filed with the West Virginia Supreme Court. Commissioners voted to seek counsel from the Jackson County law firm Harris & Holmes. They originally wanted advice from county Prosecuting Attorney Damon Morgan before seeking Anthony's removal.

After the audit, though, the decision to remove him became clear, Handley said.

"It's tough on me, because I like Anthony," he said, "but then again, I've got a duty to do as a county commissioner, and I have to separate a friendship to protect the money that belongs to the citizens of Mason County."

Anthony, a Democrat, was elected sheriff in 2008. His four-year term ends in December. His trial is scheduled to begin April 10.

Others who have filed for sheriff in Mason County include:

John Paul Casey, Democrat, of Apple Grove;

Gordon Clark, Republican, of West Columbia;

Joseph Frank, Republican, of Leon;

Donnie Kapp, Democrat, of Evans;

Curtis McConihay, Republican, of Point Pleasant;

Gregory Powers, Democrat, of Point Pleasant;

James Will, Democrat, of Point Pleasant.

Reach Travis Crum at travis.c...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-5163.