W.Va. Supreme Court Upholds Removal Of Jefferson County Commissioners From Office

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals upheld a circuit court decision Wednesday that removed two county commissioners from office.

The Circuit Court of Jefferson County relieved Jefferson County Commissioners Jennifer Krouse and Tricia Jackson of their duties May 1.

The decision came after Krouse and Jackson, both Republicans, refused to attend weeks of meetings last fall to protest vacancy-filling proceedings they described as unfair.

Last November, Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Harvey, also a Republican, filed a circuit court petition to have the commissioners removed from office, arguing that they “willfully failed or refused to perform their official duties.”

The circuit court ruled in Harvey’s favor, but Krouse and Jackson appealed the decision to the state’s Supreme Court. Meanwhile, Harvey filed a motion this month to expedite the court’s decision to clarify how to proceed with selecting their replacements entering this fall’s election.

Ultimately, the Supreme Court declared Wednesday that “after careful review of all filings and the record on appeal,” it “does affirm” the circuit court’s order, meaning Krouse and Jackson cannot resume office.

In a separate case, both commissioners were also charged with 42 misdemeanors for their refusal to attend meetings last year. Krouse and Jackson continued to collect their salaries during this period, and the county commission was unable to pass decisions due to a lack of quorum.

Meanwhile, Krouse and Jackson’s seats on the Jefferson County Commission have since been filled through appointments by the sitting commission members.

Commissioner Kevin Upson now represents the Harpers Ferry District, and Commissioner James Cook now represents the Shepherdstown District.