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2 More Officials Out in West Virginia Disaster Housing Rift

Two more officials involved in an embattled housing program aimed at helping West Virginia flood victims are out of their jobs.

Mary Jo Thompson and Russell Tarry of the West Virginia Development Office were scheduled to speak Tuesday at an interim legislative committee meeting on the deadly 2016 floods but lawmakers were told they resigned on Friday.

Tarry was the office’s deputy director and Thompson was director of community advancement and development.

Gov. Jim Justice forced out state Commerce Secretary Woody Thrasher earlier this month and Deputy Commerce Secretary Josh Jarrell was fired after complaints about poor management and residents receiving no help from RISE West Virginia, a $150 million housing assistance program.

The Commerce Department was put in charge of the program in 2016 by then-Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.

Commerce Secretary Thrasher Resigns at Gov. Justice's Request

State commerce department Sec. Woody Thrasher has resigned following reports of a slow-moving recovery program aimed to help victims of the June 2016 flood.

Thrasher resigned Thursday after Gov. Jim Justice asked for his resignation, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

Justice expressed his appreciation for Thrasher’s service to the state.

Justice said he considers Thrasher “a friend” who has done a solid job in the area of economic development. But Justice said Thrasher reported that recent media attention to the RISE West Virginia flood recovery program had distracted from the duties of his office.

Several reports indicated that the state had spent only $1.1 million of $150 million allocated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the RISE program. The West Virginia Department of Commerce holds the legal authority over the program.

Following those reports, Justice announced a realignment of the program, with oversight handed over to Gen. James Hoyer of the West Virginia National Guard.

“I hope this allows us to turn our attention to the full recovery of all of the victims of the 2016 flood,” Justice said of Thrasher’s resignation Thursday.

“I accepted this appointment because of my love for the state, and because of Governor Justice’s vision that West Virginia and its citizens should not settle for 50th,” Thrasher said in the news release issued by Justice.

“I want the Governor and this state to be successful, and I welcome the opportunity to help any way I can in the future.”

Gov. Justice Announces 'Realignment' of Flood Recovery Program, Terminations at Commerce Coming

Gov. Justice has announced changes to the management of slow-moving flood recovery program designed to help those affected by the flood of June 2016. The announcement comes on the heels of reporting that shows poor management on the part of officials in the state development office, little money spent and few flood victims getting assistance.

Justice announced Monday he is placing Gen. James Hoyer of the West Virginia National Guard in charge of the RISE program and called for a “realignment” of the state commerce department. The governor declined to comment whether department Sec. Woody Thrasher would keep his job.

The RISE program was temporarily halted earlier this year after it was discovered a contract change order for $17 million had not been properly vetted. A subsequent investigation uncovered problems within the Commerce Department and the RISE program, which has $150 million to work with from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

During a news conference, Justice stated that, as owner of The Greenbrier, he helped many families affected by the flood and, now, as governor has identified problems with the RISE program. He said, moving forward, the program will move at “light speed.”

“I’ve done my job. I’ve saved you money. I have rekindled the situation,” Justice said Monday. “I have absolutely, now, uncovered things we are going to fix. I’ve done what I am supposed to do.”

Gen. Hoyer said, in taking over management of the program, the next step will be to identify the number of familes and homes in need of support through the progam.

“I got the direct look from him and I know what he wants done,” Hoyer said of his appointment from Justice to take over the program.

Justice also acknowledged the inaccuracy of a November 2017 news release from the state Department of Commerce that quoted Sec. Thrasher as stating that some-1,100 flood victims had received assistance through RISE.

Following the news conference, Justice issued a release stating that a “realignment” at the commerce department is underway and “there will be terminations.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.