Associated Press Published

Hearing Board Recommends W.Va. Judge Suspension

wilfong.jpg

  The West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board has recommended a less severe suspension than a special counsel sought for a Randolph County judge who acknowledged having an affair with a community corrections official.

The board Friday recommended a three-year suspension, censure and $20,000 fine for Circuit Judge Jaymie Wilfong.

The board found Wilfong violated several canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including maintaining the integrity of and public confidence in the judiciary and avoiding the impression of improper influence.

Wilfong and the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel have 30 days to respond.

Earlier this week, the Judicial Investigation Commission’s special judicial disciplinary counsel recommended a four-year suspension and censure for Wilfong. In response, Wilfong’s lawyers proposed a reprimand, saying there is no evidence to support most of the allegations.