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
Hey There. I discovered your blog the usage of msn. This is a really neatly written article. I will be sure to bookmark it and return to learn extra of your helpful info. Thank you for the post. I will certainly comeback.
Thanks for the sensible critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a grab a book from our area library but I think I learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such excellent information being shared freely out there.
Great, thanks for sharing this article.Really thank you! Great.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post. Cool.
Thank you, I have recently been searching for info approximately this subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I have found out till now. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the source?
I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as no one else know such detailed about my problem. You’re wonderful! Thanks!
I’ve recently started a web site, the information you offer on this website has helped me tremendously. Thanks for all of your time & work.
I am so grateful for your blog.Thanks Again.
This is one awesome blog article.Really thank you! Want more.
Undeniably believe that which you stated. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the web the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed while people consider worries that they just do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
Simply wanna comment that you have a very nice internet site , I enjoy the design and style it actually stands out.
Some genuinely choice content on this site, saved to my bookmarks .
Say, you got a nice article.
Very good article post.Really thank you! Will read on…
I really liked your blog.Much thanks again. Cool.
I cannot thank you enough for the article.Really thank you! Cool.
Im obliged for the blog post.Really thank you! Keep writing.
I actually wanted to jot down a remark so as to thank you for all the precious steps you are sharing here. My rather long internet investigation has now been recognized with pleasant suggestions to go over with my neighbours. I ‘d claim that many of us site visitors are very much blessed to dwell in a fabulous website with very many perfect people with great tactics. I feel truly lucky to have come across the web pages and look forward to plenty of more entertaining minutes reading here. Thanks a lot again for everything.
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after checking through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
Appreciate you sharing, great article post.Thanks Again. Want more.
Having read this I thought it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Im obliged for the blog article.Thanks Again. Awesome.
Hi, I do believe this is a great blog. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may return once 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.
Enjoyed every bit of your article.Really looking forward to read more. Really Cool.
Very interesting subject, thanks for posting.
Fantastic blog post.Really thank you! Want more.
Thank you ever so for you blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
I think this is among the most important information for me. And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The site style is great, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers
I value the post.
Thanks-a-mundo for the article post. Awesome.
Thanks a lot for the blog.Really looking forward to read more. Will read on…
Thanks for the post.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
I really enjoy the article post. Much obliged.
Hi! I simply want to offer you a huge thumbs up for your excellent information you have here on this post. I am coming back to your blog for more soon.
I cannot thank you enough for the blog.Much thanks again. Keep writing.
Appreciate you sharing, great article.Thanks Again. Want more.
Thanks for another informative site. Where else could I get that kind of info written in such a perfect way? I’ve a project that I’m just now working on, and I’ve been on the look out for such info.
Hi there would you mind letting me know which web host you’re working with? I’ve loaded your blog in 3 completely different web browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then most. Can you suggest a good internet hosting provider at a fair price? Cheers, I appreciate it!
F*ckin’ tremendous issues here. I am very glad to see your article. Thanks a lot and i am having a look ahead to touch you. Will you kindly drop me a mail?
I have seen lots of useful things on your web site about computer systems. However, I’ve got the viewpoint that laptops are still less than powerful enough to be a good option if you generally do things that require loads of power, like video touch-ups. But for website surfing, microsoft word processing, and the majority of other common computer work they are fine, provided you never mind the screen size. Many thanks for sharing your opinions.