Associated Press Published

Judge Asked to Dismiss Mingo Magistrate's Suit

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A judge is considering motions to dismiss a lawsuit alleging a Mingo County magistrate was targeted for opposing corruption.

Magistrate Deloris “Dee” Sidebottom’s lawsuit says former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury, former prosecutor Michael Sparks and former state police Trooper Brandon Moore conspired to force her out of office.

The lawsuit also lists as defendants the Mingo County Commission, West Virginia State Police Superintendent Col. Jay Smithers and state Supreme Court administrator Steven Canterbury.

Attorneys for Moore, Smithers, Sparks and Thornsbury have filed motions seeking the lawsuit’s dismissal. The Charleston Daily Mail reports that Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Charles King held a hearing on Wednesday but didn’t rule on the motions.

Thornsbury and Sparks were sentenced earlier this year on federal corruption charges.