EASTVILLE, Va. — Questions surrounding staffing changes and the handling of town finances in Eastville have prompted increased public interest after town officials confirmed the resignations of two employees while declining to comment on broader allegations circulating within the community.
Over the past several months, residents have contacted the Cape Charles Mirror asking the newspaper to examine what they described as irregularities involving the Town of Eastville, the county seat of Northampton County.
Among the concerns raised in a letter to the Mirror were claims that the former Town Clerk had been dismissed, that unexplained charges appeared on the town’s bank statements, and that Town Council meeting minutes had not been posted on the town’s website since October 2025. The letter also included allegations regarding possible online gambling transactions and referenced the federal criminal case involving former Eastville Police officer Keith Brady (Brady was sentenced to three years in prison for wire fraud and money laundering relating to a scam involving an inheritance claim).
The Mirror has not independently verified the allegations contained in the letter regarding gambling-related charges, purchases, or any connections beyond matters already contained in public court records.
Note: In Cape Charles, the Virginia State Bureau of Criminal Investigation is apparently still actively probing the alleged misuse of a credit card that belongs to the Town of Cape Charles. A special prosecutor has been appointed and is still using business records related to the alleged misuse. The case, if still active, began in April 2025. The Town of Cape Charles has remained silent and has not provided any information on its progress or lack thereof.
Seeking clarification, the Mirror contacted Eastville Town Councilwoman Crockett with several questions, including whether Hunter Pruitt had resigned from the Eastville Police Department, whether council members had met with Virginia State Police investigators, whether Town Clerk Julie Pruitt remained employed by the town, and whether there was any truth to reports that purchases connected to municipal accounts had been delivered to a local residence.
In a written response on behalf of the town, officials confirmed only the employment status of the two individuals.
“The town council is aware of the concerns that the citizens of Eastville may have. At this time, I can relay that Julie Pruitt and Hunter Pruitt have resigned from the town’s employment. I know nothing about the Cape Charles credit card, nor any items delivered. Thank you for your concerns and time given this matter.”
The statement did not address whether the town is conducting an internal review, whether law enforcement agencies are investigating town finances, or whether council members have met with investigators.
Adding to the town’s ongoing administrative challenges, Northampton County is providing assistance to Eastville through former County Administrator Katie Nunez. According to county documents and interviews, the Northampton County Board of Supervisors approved paying Nunez $150 per hour to help the town address what officials have described as staffing and financial issues. Nunez served as Northampton County administrator for 11 years before leaving that position in 2016.
Eastville Mayor Eleanor Gordon confirmed that Nunez is assisting the town. Gordon said the Board of Supervisors offered to hire Nunez to help Eastville, and that the Eastville Town Council accepted the offer through a vote. The county-funded assistance comes as Eastville works through recent personnel changes and other municipal administrative matters.
Separately, residents have noted that Eastville Town Council meeting minutes have not been posted to the town’s website since October 2025. Dianne Crockett told the Mirror that the Town’s IT representative has provided some training, set up access requirements, and that the website should be updated soon.
At this time, no criminal charges have been announced, and no law enforcement agency has publicly confirmed an investigation involving Eastville’s finances.
The Cape Charles Mirror has submitted questions to town officials and will continue seeking records to determine whether additional information can be verified.
As with any developing matter involving allegations of potential wrongdoing, the Mirror will report only information that can be confirmed through official records, public documents or statements from authorities as they become available.
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Don’t forget to investigate Cape Charles…
Eastville finally has been exposed as a large can of worms. Rats are jumping from a sinking ship.
For years there has been a departmental feeding frenzy on the huge amounts of money grafted from the traveling public on Route 13.
There may be more shoes to drop in the investigations and perhaps even a few Eastvillites will earn a term in the slammer.
Should provide entertainment for those of us who have watched and wondered “How the Hell do they get away with it?”
Keith Brady was never the Cape Charles Finance Director. He is currently serving time in federal prison for conning people out of over $800,000 while an Eastville police officer. The former Cape Charles employee suspected in the credit card fraud case is now also a former employee of Eastville. Another former Cape Charles employee is now also on the Eastville payroll supposedly to help Eastville sort it all out. So many scandals it is hard to keep straight!
Why do the Northampton County Board of Supervisors feel this is our problem? Hiring someone for $150 an hour, for what? All the money made from traffic tickets written was never given to the County, all of it went to the town of Eastville! So why is this our problem? Don’t job applicants get interviewed and submit a resume’ prior to being hired! Northampton County spends money like it is one of the richest Counties in the State! Real Estate taxes are crazy! Now we have to help out Eastville and pay for a new school! I cannot understand how the former middle school was is such bad shape it could not be used as a school, but has been home to several entities since it closed and is now the County’s Community Center! The high school looks like a college campus! Isn’t enrollment down? Why wasn’t it conceivable to spend money to renovate the middle school and make the necessary updates to the high school. I believe it would have been less expensive! Wake up people!
Of all the towns on the Eastern Shore Eastville has the least “need” for a Police Department. Northampton County Sheriff’s Office is the biggest employer in town. NCSO is Located IN Eastville.
Question:
If a police department has a track record of profiteering and corruption, can and will a State or Federal authority defund and disband that department?
All of these names being tossed around, yet no one is talking about the patriarch/ringleader of the Pruitt clan. You know, the piss-poor excuse for a police chief a few miles down the road from Eastville. The one that cusses us out when we bring legitimate concerns to him. The one that tells us that he doesn’t care what the mayor says, because the mayor is just a figurehead. The one that tells us that HE runs the town. The one that couldn’t make it as marine police.
Policing for profit is nothing new. It goes on all over the world. This should not be a surprise to any thinking human being. Now, those with severe cell phone addiction may not be thinking much at all.