Associated Press Published

W.Va. Tourism Records Official Subpoenaed in Chemical Spill Cases

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The state tourism division’s record keeper has been subpoenaed in the criminal cases over a massive chemical spill last year.

In Charleston federal court Thursday, the subpoena says the Division of Tourism records custodian must attend the May 6 hearing for Freedom Industries officials facing federal charges.

The subpoena requires producing correspondence involving Tourism Commissioner Amy Shuler Goodwin’s office about the January 2014 chemical spill.

Goodwin is married to U.S. Attorney Booth Goodwin, whose office is handling the case.

Ex-Freedom officials Gary Southern and Dennis Farrell want Goodwin’s office off the case, saying some staffers are conflicted because they were affected by the spill. Prosecutors disagree.

The spill spurred a tap-water ban for 300,000 people for days.

A tourism spokeswoman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.