Tag: West Virginia Ethics Commission

Commission Approves Blind Trust for 2 Justice Businesses

West Virginia’s Ethics Commission has approved an agreement establishing a blind trust for two of Gov. Jim Justice’s many businesses — majority interests in the Glade Springs resort in West Virginia, and Wintergreen Resort in Virginia.

The trust gives management control to Howard Burnette, an engineer, attorney and chief executive of The Daniel Group, a management company in Danville, Virginia.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that Justice’s attorney Brian Helmick told commissioners his other businesses will be added to the trust once the “complicated financial structures” are worked out, including agreements by lenders.

He says the governor has directed government staff not to contract or do business with any of his businesses until they are in the trust.

Other holdings include coal mines, farms and The Greenbrier resort.

Ethics Commission OK's Blind Trust

The West Virginia Ethics Commission has approved a blind trust agreement for Woody Thrasher, president of an engineering and architecture firm chosen by Gov. Jim Justice to be the state’s new commerce secretary.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that agreement puts the Bridgeport businessman’s firm and various real estate holdings in the control of two trustees.

Thrasher won’t have to include trust assets in annual financial disclosures to the commission. The agreement’s approval exempts the businesses from potential conflicts of interest under the state’s Ethics Act.

It limits communications between the trustees and Thrasher, which are required in writing, and are to include quarterly reports of taxable income without details of the businesses’ profits and losses.

Corrections Commissioner Rubenstein Fined

The West Virginia Ethics Commission has fined and reprimanded Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein, a day after his retirement was announced.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports the commission on Wednesday ordered Rubenstein to pay $7,000 after an investigation into his use of a rent-free apartment provided by a state prison contractor.

Rubenstein, who has been commissioner since 2001, said in an agreement with the Ethics Commission that his actions were due to “a lack of vigilance” and said he regretted “any appearance of impropriety.”

Rubenstein earlier agreed to pay back rent to the apartment’s owner, Terrence Rusin, CEO of PsiMed, which provides mental health services to the state prison system.

Rubenstein claimed he had a deal with Rusin to furnish the apartment and leave the furniture behind when he vacated the apartment.

He is retiring effective April 1.

Ethics Commission Says Lobbyists Face Deadline

The West Virginia Ethics Commission says the deadline for lobbyists to register and have their names included in the 2017 Directory of Registered Lobbyists is Dec. 31.

Currently, registered lobbyists’ registrations expire Jan. 9.

The commission says it’s now accepting registration forms for the upcoming year-long cycle.

Those who haven’t completed at least one training course for the 2015-2016 registration period are required to complete one by Dec. 31.

Lobbyists are required to complete a payment cover sheet, registration statement, and employer representation and authorization forms for each employer or entity they represent in trying to influence state officials.

Forms are available on the commission’s website at www.ethics.wv.gov .

Registration fees are $100 for each lobbyist and $100 for each employer represented.

Ethics Commission Orders Fine, Training in Ex-Sheriff Complaint

The West Virginia Ethics Commission is ordering a former county sheriff that pled guilty to mail fraud and served a year in prison to pay a fine and undergo training. The commission said the ex-sheriff used his position for personal gain.

The Ethics Commission released the decision Friday ordering former Barbour County Sheriff John Hawkins to pay a $1,000 fine and undergo training on the state Ethics Act.

Hawkins admitted to stealing nearly $200 from a small cash fund kept at the Barbour County Sheriff’s Department.

Hawkins was released from federal prison in June of this year after pleading guilty to insurance mail fraud. Hawkins served one-year and one-day for fabricating a car accident report in April 2013 and collecting more than $8,000 from an insurance company.

As a part of the plea deal, Hawkins resigned from his post as sheriff in 2014, relinquished his law enforcement certification and agreed to never again serve as a law enforcement officer.

Petitions Filed Seeking Removal of Marmet Mayor

Residents have filed a petition seeking the removal of the mayor of the town of Marmet.

The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports that petitions signed by 99 voters were filed Monday in Kanawha Circuit Court.

The complaint accuses 87-year-old Mayor Bill Pauley of “official misconduct, malfeasance in office, incompetence, neglect of duty and gross immorality.” It includes a copy of an agreement Pauley made with the state Ethics Commission in September admitting that he helped ineligible voters cast ballots in the town’s 2013 elections. He was fined $2,000.

Pauley, who has been mayor for 37 years, said the bid to remove him is really being driven by a year-long dispute over how much to pay the street commissioner. He said he will fight to complete his term, which ends in 2017.

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