Tag: West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board

Randolph Co. Judge to Appeal Punishment for Affair

The West Virginia Supreme Court will hear arguments Tuesday over disciplinary action against a judge who had an inappropriate sexual affair.

Randolph County Circuit Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong admitted to having a two-year affair with William Travis Carter. At the time of their liaison, Carter was director of the North Central Community Corrections program in Elkins.

The state Judicial Hearing Board recommended in August that Wilfong should be censured, suspended for three years without pay, fined $20,000 and ordered to pay court costs. She appealed the recommendations in September. On Oct. 14, she filed a brief asking for mercy. She argued that disciplinary action should be limited to a public reprimand.

In May, Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis removed Wilfong from hearing cases involving the county prosecutor’s office.

Hearing Board Recommends W.Va. Judge Suspension

  The West Virginia Judicial Hearing Board has recommended a less severe suspension than a special counsel sought for a Randolph County judge who acknowledged having an affair with a community corrections official.

The board Friday recommended a three-year suspension, censure and $20,000 fine for Circuit Judge Jaymie Wilfong.

The board found Wilfong violated several canons of the Code of Judicial Conduct, including maintaining the integrity of and public confidence in the judiciary and avoiding the impression of improper influence.

Wilfong and the state Office of Disciplinary Counsel have 30 days to respond.

Earlier this week, the Judicial Investigation Commission’s special judicial disciplinary counsel recommended a four-year suspension and censure for Wilfong. In response, Wilfong’s lawyers proposed a reprimand, saying there is no evidence to support most of the allegations.

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