HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- A former secretary faces charges of embezzling more than $88,000 from the Barboursville Volunteer Fire Department.

Mary Elizabeth Taylor is accused of taking the money between July 1, 2009, and May 10, 2011. She is charged in an indictment unsealed Wednesday with one felony count of embezzlement.

Barboursville Police Chief Mike Coffey tells The Herald-Dispatch that an investigation found checks improperly issued from the fire department's account and misuse of its credit cards.

Fire Chief Phil Kincaid says Taylor was fired in July 2011. She had worked for the department for about six years as its secretary.

Kincaid says measures have been taken to protect the department's finances.