Tag: Lawyer Disciplinary Board

Complaint Against W.Va. Attorney General Dismissed

An investigative panel has dismissed a complaint against West Virginia’s attorney general regarding his involvement in lawsuits against pharmaceutical drug distributors.

A Milton business owner had accused Attorney General Patrick Morrisey of having an “incurable conflict of interest” and said he couldn’t fairly prosecute Cardinal Health because he used to lobby for a drug distribution trade association and his wife is a Cardinal Health lobbyist.

But the Lawyer Disciplinary Board determined last month that Morrisey didn’t break any ethics rules. Morrisey recused himself from the lawsuit involving Cardinal Health in 2013 and the board said he was never involved in the case in a “substantive” way.

In a statement, Morrisey thanked the board for dismissing the “frivolous” complaint and rebuking the “unfounded political attacks” from his opponents.

 

Sept. 30 High Court Hearing on AG Prosecutor Aid

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey’s office will argue in front of the West Virginia Supreme Court for the ability to assist county prosecutors who request help with criminal cases.

A hearing is set for Sept. 30.

In a June petition, Morrisey asked the court to prohibit enforcement of a legal opinion by two state entities saying his office’s lawyers can’t serve as assistant prosecutors.

The state Office of Disciplinary Counsel and Lawyer Disciplinary Board, both petition respondents, say the attorney general lacks statutory or constitutional authority to assist county prosecutors with criminal cases.

The state Prosecuting Attorneys Association also opposes Morrisey’s request.

In June, Preston County Prosecuting Attorney Mel Snyder asked Morrisey for help. Snyder wrote to Morrisey that sexual assault, drug crime and public corruption cases had overwhelmed his office.

W.Va. Attorney General Asks High Court About Helping Prosecutors

Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is asking the West Virginia Supreme Court if his office can help county prosecutors with their criminal cases.

In a petition Monday, Morrisey asked the court to prohibit enforcement of a legal opinion by two state entities stating his office’s lawyers can’t serve as assistant prosecutors.

The state Office of Disciplinary Counsel and Lawyer Disciplinary Board, both respondents in the petition, have said the attorney general has no statutory or constitutional authority to assist county prosecutors in criminal cases.

Earlier this month, Preston County Prosecuting Attorney Mel Snyder asked Morrisey for additional help. Snyder wrote to Morrisey that sexual assault, drug crime and public corruption cases have overwhelmed his office.

The petition says Mingo County Commissioner Greg “Hootie” Smith also asked for Morrisey’s help last year.

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