Officials are being cautious and cryptic about an ongoing investigation involving the Berkeley County Sheriff's Tax Office. Sheriff Rob Blair released a statement this week confirming the investigation but providing only vague details.

"The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office continues to support and resource these investigative efforts," Blair said in a prepared statement. "I most recently assigned a liaison investigator from our Law Enforcement Division to work with and assist with any matter that may be necessary to further these investigations."

But what is the investigation about?

Blair does not provide any clues in his prepared statement, but in an interview with Eastern Panhandle Talk, Blair confirmed that it focused on the county tax office where one employee has been fired and another put on administrative leave.

"Additional actions are being taken to address past and present deficiencies identified as a result of these investigations," Blair said.

Again, what deficiencies?

Blair won't say, at least he did not in his statement, although he did reveal in the interview that it focuses on the county tax office. Beyond that, Blair would say only that the investigation was underway when he took office earlier this year.

"The Berkeley County Sheriff's Office will make no statement related to these investigations until the conclusion of all investigative matters," he said, adding that any additional questions should be addressed to the state Auditor's Office or the Berkeley County Prosecuting Attorney.

West Virginia Auditor J.B. McCuskey was also reluctant to provide any information except to confirm that his office is investigating. McCuskey created a Public Integrity and Fraud Unit in the Auditor's office when he first took office eight years ago and investigators from that unit are working on the case.

McCuskey said it would be inappropriate to provide any additional details about an ongoing investigation, although he did say he hoped the probe would be completed before he leaves office in January. McCuskey was elected Tuesday as the next state Attorney General.

This is the second time in recent months that a Berkeley County public office has been the subject of an investigation.

Two months ago, former Berkeley County deputy clerk Melissa Joanna Beavers pleaded guilty to stealing more than $272,000 from the county. The State Auditor's Public Integrity and Fraud Unit lead that investigation as well. Beavers is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

As for the tax office investigation, we are going to have to wait for the results. It is worth keeping an eye on because I am told this is a significant case.