By Staff Reports
Patrick County Commonwealth’s Attorney Dayna Bobbitt said she is seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor to review allegations involving Beth Simms, the county’s former administrator.
Bobbitt said the allegations claim Simms violated state law, but emphasized that any determination would be made by the special prosecutor.
Bobbitt said she is prohibited by law from providing specific or additional information about the case because it is considered an ongoing investigation.
The allegations, she said, “were brought to me on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31.” While she has contacted some potential prosecutors, there has not been a response yet.
“The way the process works, the circuit court judge ultimately is the one who appoints” special prosecutors, she added.
Simms resigned from the post on Monday, November 17, 2025, following a lengthy closed-session meeting. At the time, the board gave no reason for her resignation.
“I have been advised by our attorney that we are not to discuss anything concerning the former county administrator due to it being a personnel issue,” Andrew Overby, now chairman of the Patrick County Board of Supervisors, said late last week.
A section of her contract titled, “Termination, Notice, and Severance Pay” states, in part, that if the county terminated her while she was willing and able to perform her duties, or if the board induced her resignation — formally or informally — the county would provide a lump-sum payment equal to three months of base salary, the value of any unused accumulated annual leave, and continued benefits for three months. The contract states that severance benefits would increase to six months upon completion of the Certificate of Local Government Management program.