Belmont County officials said they are facing a possible challenge in bringing a former water department clerk suspected of fraud back to the county to face charges.

Lisa Flaherty was arrested in Binghamton, N.Y., after she allegedly fled from Belmont County as a fraud investigation got under way.

The state auditor's office was contacted in early April with information about suspected theft of utility payments. The following day, water utility information on the village of Bellaire's computer system disappeared and then-Bellaire water clerk Flaherty failed to report to work.

Now that she's been arrested, getting Flaherty back to Belmont County may be a challenge for officials.

Belmont County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Berhalter said, "She can waive any right she has to fight extradition, and if that's the case, then she'll be brought back within 10 days."

Berhalter said if Flaherty fights extradition, she could remain in New York for some time.

"Then we will have to proceed and get a governor's warrant, which unfortunately may take several months to obtain," he said.

But the investigation is not over yet, and there's still no clear estimate of exactly how much money is missing from the water department or if any other possible charges are possible.

"No determination has been made as to whether any additional charges will be filed or any other individuals will be charged. We'll have to wait until that investigation is fully complete," Berhalter said.

Officials at Binghamton County Courts in New York said Flaherty was arraigned on Thursday and remanded back to Broome County, N.Y., where she remains in jail without bond.

Flaherty was assigned a public defender and will have another hearing in the coming days. Stay with NEWS9, WTOV9.com and WTOV9 Mobile for continuing coverage.