The man who just recently led the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has now turned himself over to federal corrections authorities following a shocking corruption scandal.
Former Chief Justice Allen Loughry’s stint behind bars stems directly from his conviction on charges of mail fraud, wire fraud, and lying to federal investigators. He will serve his two-year sentence at a federal prison in South Carolina.
Corrupt chief justice
The Daily Caller reported that Loughry was found guilty of the various corruption charges in federal court this past February. In addition to the prison sentence, Loughry was also disbarred, ordered to pay fines totaling $12,000, and prohibited from ever running for public office again.
The scandal that resulted in the judge doing time in federal prison began when local media started looking into what appeared to be extravagant spending of taxpayer money by the judge, including costly renovations to his state Supreme Court office.
A subsequent investigation determined that Loughry, as well as other justices on that court, were using state resources for personal purposes, including an instance in which Loughry appropriated an expensive state-owned antique desk for use in his own home. Loughry was also accused of seeking reimbursement from a law school for travel expenses that he never incurred.
Ironically, Loughry previously wrote a book documenting the history of political corruption in the state of West Virginia titled Don’t Buy Another Vote, I Won’t Pay For A Landslide.
Cleaning house
It is worth noting that Loughry wasn’t the only official ensnared in the corruption scandal. Another justice on the court, Menis Ketchum, was also convicted in federal court of various financial crimes.
A third justice, Robin Jean Davis, was investigated for possible campaign finance violations in the 2012 election, but resigned prior to an impeachment effort by the state legislature.
The legislature ultimately attempted to impeach all five sitting justices on the state’s high court. However, the impeachment effort against Justices Beth Walker and Margaret Workman was seen by some as a bridge too far and was contested.
Walker appealed the impeachment to a special judicial panel, which ruled in her favor and issued an injunction against the removal effort and further concluded that the legislature exceeded its authority in removing all of the judges.
Thus, Walker and Workman remain seated on the high bench. They are now joined by three new appointees named by Republican Gov. Jim Justice: Tim Armstead, John Hutchinson, and Evan Jenkins, who are filling the vacancies left by Davis, Ketchum, and Loughry.
These state Supreme Court justices abused the perks of their position — not to mention the taxpayers who provide them — and they are now rightly being held accountable.
1,050 Responses
881972 402850Right after study some of the content within your website now, we genuinely such as your technique of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark web internet site list and will also be checking back soon. Pls look at my web-site likewise and make me aware what you believe. 711993
Howdy! Someone in my Myspace group shared this site with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information. I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and excellent design.
I have recently started a web site, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thank you for all of your time & work.
An intriguing discussion is worth comment. I believe that you should write more on this subject, it may not be a taboo matter but generally folks don’t talk about such topics. To the next! Best wishes!!
Hi, I do believe this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may revisit yet again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to help other people.
Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am having difficulties with your RSS. I don’t know the reason why I can’t join it. Is there anybody else getting the same RSS issues? Anyone who knows the answer will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people about this subject, but you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Hi, I do think this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I’m going to come back once again since I book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide other people.
This site was… how do you say it? Relevant!! Finally I’ve found something that helped me. Kudos!
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful article. Thanks for supplying this info.
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe that this site needs much more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read through more, thanks for the advice!
Thanks for the article.Thanks Again. Great.
Muchos Gracias for your blog article.Much thanks again. Want more.
hello there and thank you for your information – I have definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical issues using this website, as I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web host is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will sometimes affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if ads and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective exciting content. Make sure you update this again very soon..
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the highest quality websites on the net. I’m going to highly recommend this website!
Hello! I could have sworn I’ve visited this web site before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly delighted I stumbled upon it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
Im grateful for the post.Thanks Again. Great.
Merely wanna remark that you have a very nice internet site , I love the pattern it actually stands out.
Major thanks for the post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
I want to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I certainly enjoyed every bit of it. I have you book-marked to look at new things you post…
I loved your post.Really thank you! Awesome.
I’m so happy to read this. This is the kind of manual that needs to be given and not the accidental misinformation that’s at the other blogs. Appreciate your sharing this greatest doc.
I think this is a real great article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Great.
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I am hoping to provide something back and help others such as you helped me.
I gotta bookmark this website it seems extremely helpful extremely helpful
Im obliged for the blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.
I really enjoy the article post.Much thanks again. Much obliged.
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the greatest blogs on the web. I’m going to recommend this blog!
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve visited your blog before but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Anyhow, I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!
Hi! I just want to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent information you’ve got here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.
It¡¦s actually a great and helpful piece of information. I am glad that you shared this helpful info with us. Please stay us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
Fantastic blog post.
I am so grateful for your post.Really looking forward to read more. Cool.
I enjoy reading through an article that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing for me to comment!
Heya i’m for the first time here. I found this board and I in finding It really useful & it helped me out much. I’m hoping to give something again and help others such as you helped me.
Very good written post. It will be supportive to everyone who usess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – looking forward to more posts.
Im thankful for the article post.Really thank you! Will read on…
425590 883260Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything in this way before. So good to uncover somebody with some original tips on this topic. realy appreciate starting this up. this exceptional web site is something that is required over the internet, a person if we do originality. valuable work for bringing something new towards the internet! 303174
Major thanks for the blog post.Much thanks again. Cool.
Thanks again for the blog.Really thank you! Really Great.