Charles County commissioners said yesterday that they have appointed Harry H. Foxwell as county treasurer to complete the term of Thelma Bowie, who resigned last week because of continuing health problems.

Her resignation came on the heels of a disclosure by commissioners that the county's deputy treasurer allegedly had made illegal and highly speculative investments with county funds totaling in the millions of dollars. The county has sued to have the trades reversed.

Mr. Foxwell served for 30 years in the U.S. Navy and is the former assistant director of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the commissioners said in a statement.

A new treasurer will be elected this fall.