Police: Man forged governor's signature

HINTON, W.Va., Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Authorities in West Virginia said they arrested a man who allegedly sent a typo-ridden letter bearing the forged signature of Gov. Joe Manchin.

West Virginia State Police said Matthew Don Reed, 32, of Hinton, W.Va., allegedly told multiple people he met online that he was a state Division of Natural Resources law enforcement officer, and he hired a Chicago man to send target letters to people interested in employment with the division, the Beckley (W.Va.) Register-Herald reported Thursday.

However, when he was asked to send a letter with Manchin's forged signature, the Chicago man contacted the agency to verify Reed's employment.

"It's nice to have you as an employee of West Virginia. Your super (boss) Matt talk a lot of thangs about you. I hope you stay with us a long time. If you got ? please ask Matt," read the letter, which did not bear the governor's official seal.

State Police Sgt. T.L. Bragg said the Chicago man's inquiry sparked an investigation that concluded Monday with Reed's arrest. He was charged with impersonating a public official, impersonating a state DNR officer and forgery of a public document. Reed was being held at Southern Regional Jail in lieu of $10,000 bond.