Lawrence Smith News
CIVIL FILINGS: Mason County
Dec. 5
CIVIL FILINGS: Jackson County
Nov. 30
Judge says $3 'theft' grounds for termination
CLARKSBURG – A Monongalia County woman has been awarded more than $2,000 in compensation after a judge found her former employer was late in paying her last paycheck.
Shirley the third recent sheriff to admit guilt
CHARLES TOWN – Robert “Bobby” Shirley’s recent guilty plea to civil rights violations is the third time in a year a sheriff has admitted to criminal misconduct.
State High Court grants writ to Jefferson sheriff in deputy’s termination case
CHARLESTON – In spite of his recent guilty plea to civil rights violations, former Jefferson County Sheriff Robert “Bobby” Shirley can take consolation in a small legal victory in a former deputy’s pending wrongful termination case.
Jefferson County sheriff resigns, pleads guilty
CHARLES TOWN – An Eastern Panhandle sheriff has decided to throw in the towel on both his law enforcement career and fight with the federal government and admit he violated a bank robbery suspect’s civil rights.
Huntington police again accused of civil rights violations
HUNTINGTON – Another Huntington resident is accusing the City of civil rights violations after a police officer allegedly used excessive force in arresting him.
State Police revising policies as a result of settlement
CHARLESTON – The State Police has agreed to both a payout and to make certain policy changes to settle a Wirt County woman’s “sexually intrusive” warrantless arrest suit.
Haitian immigrants get $60K from civil rights suit
CHARLESTON – Records show an eastern panhandle municipality paid $60,000 to two Haitian immigrants who accused four of its officers of civil rights violations.
Mingo town settles civil rights suit against police officers
CHARLESTON – A Mingo County municipality has settled a civil rights suit accusing two of its former officers of wrongfully arresting a man following a traffic stop.
Grant County releases details of civil rights settlements
PETERSBURG – Grant County officials have disclosed details on a settlement reached last Summer in a civil rights lawsuit brought against two former lawmen.
Mineral County attorney charged with failing to communicate with clients
CHARLESTON– A Mineral County attorney has been cited for his alleged repeated failure to communicate with clients and the resulting ethics investigation.
Supreme Court upholds Rowlesburg mayoral election results
CHARLESTON – A divided state Supreme Court has upheld the results of a disputed election in Preston County.
Fayette deputies accused of beating disabled man
CHARLESTON – Four Fayette County deputies are accused of beating up a disabled man and later dropping him off at his home without providing him any medical treatment.
Summers sheriff's department discloses terms of settlement​s
CHARLESTON – Nearly $100,000, a promotion and a new car were part of the terms in settling two civil rights lawsuits against the Summers County Sheriff’s Department.
Berkeley officials agree to rehire deputy acquitted of sexual abuse charges
MARTINSBURG – County officials have agreed to settle a deputy sheriff’s civil suit alleging wrongful termination by not only rehiring him, but also awarding him back pay.
Court upholds dismissal of Lewis man’s civil rights suit
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has agreed with a lower court’s decision that police did not use excessive force in subduing a Lewis County man, which resulted in him sustaining a broken ankle.
Other civil rights suit against Morgan deputy still slated for March trial
MARTINSBURG – As one civil rights suit against him begins, another against a Morgan County deputy sheriff may soon come to an end.
Charles Town false arrest suit filed by Haitian immigrants settled
MARTINSBURG – The lawsuit filed by two Haitian immigrants claiming they were mistakenly arrested by Charles Town police last year has come to a close.
Court disbars attorney for allegedly beating client with baseball bat
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has disbarred a St. Albans attorney for beating one of his former clients with a baseball bat.