Lawmakers have impeached a third West Virginia Supreme Court justice in a scandal over spending and office renovations. - Armstead took Ketchum's seat while Jenkins took Davis' seat with both having already filed to run in the November special elections. ‘I still like Dr. Seuss’: House GOP leader McCarthy shares video reading of ‘Green Eggs and Ham’, Attorney for ‘QAnon shaman’ blames Trump for client’s actions, Presidential cars: The best cars owned by US Presidents, Democrats turn blind eye to Antifa in rush to condemn right-wing riot at U.S. Capitol, Trump blasts Biden over border crisis: ‘Totally out of control’, Quiz: Man-made and natural disasters test. Despite being threatened in other states at other times, this is the only time in United States history that the entire bench of the highest court of a state has been impeached. On September 11, 2018, the West Virginia Senate debated and voted on a number of preliminary issues for the four trials. Project Veritas accuses Zuckerberg of violating own policy with early vaccine concerns However, the reconstituted Supreme Court of Appeals ruled on October 25 that the injunction blocking Justice Workman's trial also retroactively applied to Justice Davis' and Justice Loughry's trial. West Virginia Supreme Court halts impeachment trial for Justice Workman. However, on October 11, the Supreme Court of Appeals, temporarily reconstituted with five circuit court judges, issued an injunction blocking the impeachment trial, stating that the articles of impeachment presented by the House of Delegates against Workman violated the separation of powers doctrine and, therefore, the Senate has no jurisdiction to try Workman on the impeachment. Impeachment of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, 2018, Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia, West Virginia's 3rd congressional district, "Supreme Court won't intervene over West Virginia justices", "WV MetroNews – Chief Justice Workman says WV Supreme Court has to restore public trust", "WV MetroNews – 'Couchgate' driving Supreme Court budget debate", "WV MetroNews – Justice Loughry named in 32-count judicial complaint saying he lied over and over", "WV MetroNews – Justice Loughry indicted on 22 counts, U.S. Attorney Stuart announces", "WV MetroNews – Special session starts Tuesday to deal with Supreme Court impeachment", "WV MetroNews – Delegates vote to impeach all four remaining WV Supreme Court justices", "Ketchum pleads guilty to federal information regarding car use", WV Supreme Court formally annuls Ketchum's law license, "West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Robin Davis announces retirement", "House votes to impeach all current Justices", "Updates: Trial dates set for W.Va. justices Loughry, Workman, Walker and Davis", "Senators reprimand Justice Walker, but vote to not impeach", "With resignation, special session to impeach Loughry is off", "With Workman impeachment trial blocked, Senate debates next move". [22][19][23], The impeachment trial for Justice Loughry was set for November 12. However, the reconstituted Supreme Court of Appeals ruled on October 25 that the injunction blocking Justice Workman's trial also retroactively applied to Justice Davis' and Justice Loughry's trials. Comments Kevin Daley Supreme Court correspondent. A little over a year removed from a corruption scandal centered on a pricey renovations of court offices, the West Virginia Supreme Court’s lineup is about to finish its own complete makeover, barring a last-second filing. The U.S. Supreme Court said Monday it will leave in place a court decision that derailed the impeachment trials of three West Virginia Supreme Court justices accused of corruption. Another Justice Resigns From Scandal-Plagued West Virginia Supreme Court. The case was one of a long list of those the Supreme Court announced it wouldn't hear, and as is usual the high court made no comment in declining to take the case. The impeachment of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia occurred on August 13, 2018, when the West Virginia House of Delegates voted to impeach all five justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia for charges relating to corruption, overspending, and lack of oversight. A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was recently convicted of 11 federal charges is stepping down just ahead of a special legislative session to consider his … On August 25, 2018, Governor Jim Justice appointed Tim Armstead, former Speaker of the House of Delegates and Evan Jenkins, U.S. Representative for West Virginia's 3rd congressional district, to the two vacant seats until the special elections. [5] Justice Menis Ketchum was reported to have used a state vehicle to travel from his home in Huntington to work, and for several vacation trips, without paying tax on the fringe benefit. Loughry repeatedly denied benefiting personally from trips he took when he became a justice in 2013. The legislative auditor found multiple irregularities in the court's practices including undocumented[3] and commuting use of court-owned vehicles and the improper purchase of gift cards. Judicial elections in West Virginia became nonpartisan in 2016. Quiz: Do you remember these popular TV couples? Republican Gov. A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was recently convicted of 11 federal charges is stepping down just ahead of a special legislative session to consider his removal, the governor’s office disclosed Saturday. Copenhaver also cited numerous letters written on Ketchum’s behalf, including by former Marshall University interim President Mike Farrell. The West Virginia House of Delegates approved an impeachment article Monday against Chief Justice Margaret Workman. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was recently convicted of 11 federal charges is stepping down just ahead of a special legislative session to consider his removal, the governor's office disclosed Saturday. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the state supreme court of the state of West Virginia, the highest of West Virginia's state courts.The court sits primarily at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, although from 1873 to 1915, it was also required by state law to hold sessions in Charles Town in the state's Eastern Panhandle. Justice Robin Davis retired after the impeachment charges were announced. [9], On June 26, 2018, the West Virginia House of Delegates assembled in special session to consider Loughry's or any other justice's impeachment. [11] On August 13, 2018, the full House of Delegates impeached the four remaining members of the court. Some Democrats argued the court’s shake-up was a power grab by Republicans. [6] Justice Ketchum then had his income tax amended to pay the back tax and repaid the state over $1600 for the issue. “It borders on the unfathomable that you would risk so much for so little,” Copenhaver told Ketchum, later adding, “The court recognizes your sincere regret for your conduct. Loughry was sentenced last month for using his job for his own benefit and lying to investigators. [13], On August 7, 2018, the House Judiciary Committee recommended that all four remaining justices be impeached. Voters in November approved a ballot measure allowing the GOP-led Legislature to decide each year whether to reduce the courts’ budget. Jim Justice appointed a lifelong friend to replace Loughry until a 2020 special election. FILE - In this Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018 file photo, West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry leaves the Robert C. Byrd United States Courthouse in Charleston, W.Va. after a federal jury was selected for his criminal trial. The state constitution gives the Legislature the sole power of impeachment. [24] Delegate Andrew Byrd of Kanawha County, who is serving as one of the impeachment managers, is asking Gov. [31] This became the case with Loughry's resignation, as on December 12, 2018, Justice appointed John A. Hutchison, a lifelong friend and circuit judge in Raleigh County, to Loughry's vacated seat.[32]. [18][19][20], Former Justice Davis' trial was scheduled to begin on October 29. DHS begs for volunteers to rush to the border, admits surge of migrants is 'overwhelming', “I’m just plain guilty,” Ketchum told U.S. District Judge John T. Copenhaver Jr. just prior to sentencing. [10] The matter was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. The Senate followed by agreeing, by voice vote, to publicly "reprimand and censure" Justice Walker for her actions in the scandal. The Supreme Court of Appeals is West Virginia’s highest court and the court of last resort. This trial concluded on October 12 with Loughry being convicted of seven counts of wire fraud, one count of mail fraud, one count of witness tampering and two counts of lying to the FBI. The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia is the state supreme court of the state of West Virginia, the highest of West Virginia's state courts.The court sits primarily at the West Virginia State Capitol in Charleston, although from 1873 to 1915, it was also required by state law to hold sessions in Charles Town in the state's Eastern Panhandle. TOP STORIES Excessive spending leads to impeachment for West Virginia Supreme Court justices Aug. 14, 2018 01:10 Aug. 14, 2018, 9:02 AM UTC / Updated Aug. 14, 2018, 3:23 PM UTC Barring any changes by the Legislature, these interim justices served until the primary election in May 2020, when a special election was held. The House is seeking a U.S. Supreme Court review in order to correct what it called legal errors in the decision. The judge said he took into account Ketchum’s age, his lack of prior criminal behavior and that he accepted responsibility for his actions - unlike former Justice Allen Loughry, who was sentenced last month to two years in federal prison in the same corruption probe. Explore the entire West Virginia Court System, and the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said he accepted the judge’s sentence. “And I’m sorry, but sorry’s no excuse.”. Menis Ketchum’s sentencing in federal court came at the end of a yearlong impeachment and corruption scandal involving the Supreme Court that resulted in significant changes to the state’s judicial system, including the five-member court’s makeup. House Speaker Roger Hanshaw has said the earlier opinion “removes virtually all of the constitutional checks and balances we have on the judicial branch of government.”. Render unto Biden? In late 2017, WCHS-TV and other media outlets began reporting on spending by the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia. Of the five justices who were investigated, Justice Menis Ketchum resigned before impeachment, pled guilty in federal court to one count of wire fraud, and had his license to practice law annulled and was sentenced to three years probation and fined; Chief Justice Allen Loughry was removed as chief justice, suspended from the court, impeached on seven charges, convicted of 11 charges, resigned before being tried for removal from office and sentenced to 24 months in prison; Justice Robin Davis was impeached on three charges, retired on August 14—retroactively effective August 13—,and was not tried in the Senate due to an injunction from the temporarily reconstituted Supreme Court; Justice Beth Walker was impeached on two charges, voted to not be removed 32-1-1 on October 2, and remained on the court; and Justice Margaret Workman was impeached on two charges, not tried in the Senate due to an injunction from the Supreme Court, and remained on the court. A temporary panel of justices later ruled the impeachment efforts violated the separation-of-powers doctrine and that the Legislature lacked jurisdiction to pursue the trials. On August 14, 2018, Davis retired from the court, effective August 13, 2018. November 12, 2018 12:59 PM ET. "Effort to remove convicted Justice Loughry from office continues", "West Virginia Supreme Court halts impeachment trial for Justice Workman", "West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Loughry convicted on 11 charges", "WV Supreme Court Justice Loughry guilty on 11 of 22 federal charges", "Governor Jim Justice appoints Armstead and Jenkins to the Supreme Court", "Objections to Supreme Court picks can be filed during 20-day period", "Tim Armstead sworn in as Supreme Court, WV, justice", "Evan Jenkins to Resign Seat on Sunday, Head to West Virginia Supreme Court", "The Looming West Virginia Supreme Court Impeachment Proceedings: An Explainer", "Hutchison to take seat on state Supreme Court", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Impeachment_of_the_Supreme_Court_of_Appeals_of_West_Virginia&oldid=1009629204, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Wikipedia articles in need of updating from February 2019, All Wikipedia articles in need of updating, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 1 March 2021, at 14:46. This waiting period ended on September 19, 2018. Loughry for lack of oversight, improper removal of the desk to his home, improper use of a government computer, improper use of state owned cars for personal travel, overspending on his office decorations, the overpaying of "senior status judges" and lying to the Legislature; Chief Justice Margaret Workman and Justice Robin Davis for overpaying of "senior status judges", lack of oversight, and overspending; and Justice Beth Walker for lack of oversight and overspending. The charge was related to a 400-mile (643-kilometer) trip in 2014 where Ketchum used a state-owned car to drive from his home in Huntington to a private golf club near Bristol, Virginia, and used a state credit card to refuel. Chaos in Biden’s stop-work order on border: ‘We just built roads for the cartels’, Biden, lawmakers take step to limit president’s authority to go to war, Federal court rejects attempt to revive Equal Rights Amendment, Doctor: “Doing This Every Morning Can Snap Back Sagging Skin (No Creams Needed)”, Anti-Trump activist sees more legal trouble after Capitol riot. Senate President Mitch Carmichael announced after the session had adjourned that the Senate would ask the Supreme Court of Appeals to reconsider their decision, however, in light of Loughry's resignation, further impeachment efforts against Workman are doubtful. [7] The Supreme Court, reconstituted with four circuit judges and a retired circuit judge appointed for that purpose, suspended Loughry without pay until further notice as a result of these charges. Search through the Public Resources, Supreme Court, Lower Courts, Legal Community, and Court Administration sections for court related information. [29][30], In accordance with Chapter 3, Section 10 of the West Virginia Code, any further vacancies were filled by interim justices appointed by Governor Justice. Aug. 14, 201801:10. He faces nearly 24 months in prison. Eventually, an investigation by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia was launched,[2] and the court was audited by the state's legislative auditor. and View Comments, Terms of Use / Privacy Policy / Manage Newsletters, Cheryl Chumley: Socialism Comes When Christians Sleep, - Copyright © 2021 The Washington Times, LLC. Megyn Kelly mocks 'blood diamond' wearing Meghan Markle's claim of shunning grandeur: 'Spare us' WV House Impeaches Entire State Supreme Court Over Spending Scandal. The jury found Loughry not guilty on nine counts of wire fraud and two counts of mail fraud while they deadlocked on one count of wire fraud. West Virginia high court scandal: convicted justice resigns. [4] Significant public attention was centered on spending for expensive office renovations, including a $32,000 couch for Justice Allen Loughry, and Loughry's use of an original Cass Gilbert-designed desk from the State Capitol at his home. The 76-year-old Ketchum, who pleaded guilty last year to a felony fraud count, also was fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $749 in restitution. Copenhaver suggested that Ketchum use his freedom to his benefit by possibly seeking work as a paralegal. Some of the justices were accused of abusing their authority by failing to rein in excessive spending. Armstead, a former Republican speaker of the House of Delegates, won a 12-year term by defeating two candidates, including former Justice Richard Neely. Two Republican former lawmakers were appointed in the place of Ketchum and Davis and later won election to complete their terms. Click to Read More [8], On June 20, 2018 (West Virginia Day), Michael B. Stuart, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, announced a 22 count indictment against Loughry. Jim Justice to call the House of Delegates into special session on November 11-13 to draft new impeachment articles against Loughry based solely on his federal criminal convictions (see below). [24], Justice Loughry’s federal criminal trial began on October 2. [12] Because of his guilty plea to a felony, the Supreme Court of Appeals annulled Ketchum's license to practice law in the state of West Virginia on October 4, 2018. Quiz: Can you guess the NATO military alphabet code words? [25][26], Justice Ketchum's seat and Justice Davis' seat were ultimately filled in separate special elections which was held alongside the 2018 general election on November 6, 2018. In addition, Judge Farrell stated that he would not preside over Justice Workman's trial while the injunction was in place. Loughry, who remained on the court until resigning on November 12, 2018, was scheduled be sentenced on January 16, 2019, however those proceedings are now on hold. By James Sample, Professor of … West Virginia is one of only nine jurisdictions with a single appellate court. [16], Justice Walker's impeachment trial began on October 1. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — Incumbent justices Tim Armstead and John Hutchison won back their seats on the West Virginia Supreme Court on Tuesday, two years after an impeachment scandal involving their predecessors. West Virginia’s Judicial Investigation Commission cited state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry for 32 alleged violation of the state ethics code, prompting Loughry’s colleagues to suspend him from his official duties. The West Virginia Senate met on Monday, August 20, 2018 to receive the articles of impeachment from the House of Delegates and approve the rules governing the impeachment trials. West Virginia's entire state Supreme Court has been impeached by the state House of Delegates, an event with no obvious precedent in American political or judicial history. CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was recently convicted of 11 federal charges is stepping down just ahead of a special legislative session to CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A former West Virginia Supreme Court justice was sentenced to three years’ probation Wednesday for using a state vehicle and gas fuel card for a golf trip to Virginia. There are far fewer names for the three races in May than there were for two spots up for grabs in a November 2018 special election. Court documents show Ketchum traveled to the club from 2011 through 2014. A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was recently convicted of federal charges including wire fraud is stepping down ahead of a special legislative session to consider his removal… A former West Virginia Supreme Court justice who had a $32,000 blue suede couch in his office and was at the center of an impeachment and corruption scandal … Dems’ appetite for revenue will make taxes go through the roof, Four big reasons why small businesses are about to boom, Satanists sue for religious right to ritual abortions. On June 6, 2018, Loughry was charged with 32 violations of the state Code of Judicial Conduct. In addition, the Senate confirmed that Cabell County Circuit Judge Paul Farrell, who had been temporarily designated by the Supreme Court to fill in for Loughry, was to preside over all of the trials. The trial concluded on October 2 with the Senate voting 32-1-1 not to remove her from office, with only Senator Stephen Baldwin of Greenbrier County voting for conviction and Senator Ryan Weld of Brooke County absent. This is a single blemish on a distinguished career.”. The Senate also voted to try each of the justices separately with Farrell determining the order. On July 31, 2018, he entered a guilty plea in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in Charleston to one count of wire fraud. Ketchum retired in July before the House of Delegates impeached other Supreme Court justices over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. The state Supreme Court stripped Ketchum of his law license in October. Quiz: US Citizenship Test - Could You Pass? In 2018, the court’s impeachment scandal stirred political attacks and some Democrats argued the court… State lawmakers and others have said public trust in the state’s court system was broken by the actions of Loughry and others. Judicial elections in West Virginia became nonpartisan in 2016, but the court’s impeachment scandal stirred political attacks. The West Virginia Senate met on Monday, August 20, 2018 to receive the articles of impeachment from the House of Delegates and approve the rules governing the impeachment trials. It was the latest development in an impeachment scandal miring some past and present justices in varying accusations including abuse of […]