News from 2015
Judge denies bid to block deposition of EPA chief in coal case
WHEELING – A federal judge has ruled that U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy will be deposed in a lawsuit about coal mining regulations despite a bid by the agency to block it. On Nov. 12, Judge John Preston Bailey ruled that McCarthy’s involvement with Clean Air Act regulations means she is relevant enough to be deposed.
AG's office warns caregivers of nanny scams
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey has issed a warning to nannies and caregivers who list their services on websites to proceed with caution. The Attorney General’s Office recently learned of a scam in which someone uses email or text message to initiate the hiring of a nanny or caregiver who have listed services on sites such as Care.com, Sittercity.com or craiglist.com.
Attorney files lawsuit against AG's office for EPA documents
CHARLESTON – A Charleston attorney has filed a lawsuit on behalf an environmental group for documents related to litigation against the EPA. William DePaulo, on behalf of Keeper of the Mountains, sent the Freedom of Information Act request on Oct. 7 with Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, according to a complaint filed Oct. 22 in Kanawha Circuit Court. Keeper of the Mountains claims the request was received on Oct. 13 and Morrisey had until Oct. 20 to respond to the request. After not hearing
AG won't consider suing McKesson during investigation
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office says it will not consider suing the nation's largest prescription drug distributor until it finishes its investigation into the company. In a letter written Oct. 2, Del.
Attorney files motion to dismiss Parkersburg city council member from complaint
PARKERSBURG – An attorney for City Councilman Roger Brown has filed a motion to dismiss him from a lawsuit filed by another city council member. The motion to dismiss was filed Nov. 2 in Wood Circuit Court by Brown's attorneys, Roger Hanshaw and J.
Man sues Wal-Mart after fall allegedly caused by fabric softener
HUNTINGTON – A man is suing Wal-Mart over injuries due to a fall allegedly caused by fabric softener left on an aisle floor.
Couple sues to enforce coal companies' previous relocation promises of no future industrial operations
LOGAN – A West Virginia couple has filed suit to enforce coal company promises to refrain from future industrial operations when the couple agreed to relocate in 2006.
Cintas alleges Becker's Services owes balance for goods and services
KEYSER – A Maryland company is suing a Keyser construction company over claims it has failed to pay for goods and services.
Princeton man claims T & N Electric Motor Exchange has not paid for goods
PRINCETON – A Princeton man is suing an electric motor services company over an alleged unpaid balance.
W.Va. Supreme Court says lawsuit against police can go forward
CHARLESTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that a lawsuit against a state trooper and deputy sheriff can continue.
Benjamin Campaign releases study of court decisions
CHARLESTON - The Committee to Re-elect Justice Brent Benjamin released a summary of the votes by the current justices of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in the 3,223 cases decided since January 2013.
State Supreme Court throws out Jorea Marple lawsuit
CHARLESTON - The W.Va. Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled that Jorea Marple cannot sue L. Wade Linger and the state school board over her 2012 firing.
Beckley man sues United Bank, construction companies over fall injury claims
BECKLEY – A Beckley man is suing a bank and several construction companies for injuries allegedly sustained in a fall at the bank's construction site.
Worldwide Equipment alleges companies owe balance on lease agreements
PRINCETON – A Kentucky equipment company doing business in West Virginia is suing over claims several companies breached their lease agreements.
Former employee accuses Ramey Motors of fraudulent inflation
PRINCETON – A West Virginia man is suing a car dealership over claims it short-changed him when paying his wages.
Triple S. Corp. sued over claims of defaulted credit agreement
BECKLEY – A Pennsylvania company is suing to collect money owed for goods received on credit and not paid for.
Morgan's Food and Spirits, individuals sued after alleged assault
BECKLEY – A Raleigh County man who was allegedly assaulted by two intoxicated individuals is suing the company that sold the assailants the alcohol, the assailants, and others.
Man claims Erie Insurance Group owes him compensation following Bluefield collision
PRINCETON – A man is suing an insurance company to cover injuries he sustained in a vehicle collision.
Wetzel jury finds CSX not negligent in death of 18-year-old
NEW MARTINSVILLE – A jury returned a verdict that CSX Transportation was not negligent in the 2009 death of 18-year-old Andrew Haslam. The jury returned with its verdict on Nov. 4, after deliberating for nearly three hours, finding that CSX, engineer Carey B.
What happens when a judge loses credibility?
We observed in an editorial last month, “Judges should recuse themselves not only from cases in which they have a conflict of interest, but also from ones in which there may be even the appearance of impropriety.” We noted that State Supreme Court Chief Justice Robin Davis seems oblivious to such concerns and that her cavalier approach has attracted national attention, securing her the starring role last year on ABC's World News Tonight and Nightline in a story headlined: “Lear Jet J