ISLE OF WIGHT
The former chairman of the Isle of Wight County School System was arrested on Monday in connection with several charges related to financial improprieties. This information comes from a press release by Lt. Tommy Potter, an investigator for the county Sheriff’s Office.

Kent Hildebrand, who also represented the Newport District of the school division, was served 17 felony arrest warrants.

These were the result of an investigation that had been going on for several months, and was done in conjunction with the Isle of Wight County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

“The investigation centered on Hildebrand’s financial transactions involving an elderly individual that resides in the mobile home park that he manages. The investigation determined that over a seven-year period Hildebrand had stolen over $200,000 from the victim.”

The charges are as follows:

• 15 felony charges for grand larceny;

• 1 felony charge for credit card fraud; and

• 1 felony charge for identity theft;

In mid-March, he suddenly and inexplicably resigned as chairman.

During the investigation, there was no evidence found that any of the transactions in question involved school funds in any way.

Asked for comment, IWCS spokeswoman Kenita Bowers said, “Mr. Hildebrand is no longer an employee of Isle of Wight County Schools and this is a matter being handled by the Isle of Wight County Sheriff’s Office, therefore the school division nor the school board has any comment at this time.”

Hildebrand is being held in Western Tidewater Regional Jail with no bond. He is scheduled to appear in Isle of Wight General District Court on Thursday afternoon for a bond hearing.