Audit Targets Two West Virginia Supreme Court Justices

An audit of the West Virginia Supreme Court has found two justices may have violated state Ethics Act provisions that prohibit using public office for private gain.

Legislative Post Audit Division director Denny Rhodes released a 60-page report to a legislative committee Monday that found justices Allen Loughry and Menis Ketchum ignored mandatory reporting guidelines for the use of state-owned vehicles. It also questioned Loughry’s personal use of rental vehicles at state expense during out-of-state trips.

The report also says Loughry had a state-owned antique desk appraised at $42,000 brought to his home in 2013. Loughry returned the desk after media inquiries.

Rhodes says the findings have been reported to the West Virginia Ethics Commission.