West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice has appointed his former chief of staff to the state Workers’ Compensation Board of Review.
Charleston lawyer Nick Casey told The Charleston Gazette-Mail on Wednesday that his appointment was unexpected and appreciated. The board is a three-member judicial panel that hears appeals of workers’ compensation claims.
Casey replaces W. Jack Stevens as a Democrat board member. By statute, the position pays a salary of over $103,000.
Justice switched parties from Democrat to Republican on Aug. 3. He said in an Aug. 14 statement that Casey was no longer his chief of staff. Casey, who begins work in his new position on Jan. 2, is also a former state Democratic Party chairman.
The state Senate will have to confirm Casey’s appointment during the 2018 regular session.