FAIRMONT, W.Va. -- The former mayor of Grant Town has pleaded not guilty to charges that he embezzled $9,000 from the local volunteer fire department.

Robert Dale Riggs Jr. was indicted by a Marion County grand jury earlier this month. He pleaded not guilty to nine felony counts Thursday. A trial is set for Nov. 28

Riggs was arrested in November 2011 by West Virginia State Police. Investigators say he fraudulently cashed checks from the fire department accounts.

The Times West Virginian reported that, in addition to being mayor, Riggs headed the volunteer fire department.

During an interview with police, Riggs admitted to writing and cashing each check. According to the criminal complaint, police reported that Riggs did not say what he did with the cash and may have misplaced it.