News from February 2018
Attorney general holds course to educate public about human trafficking
CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office recently held an educational course on human trafficking in Wheeling as part of the office's efforts to “take the lead in combating this emerging crime."
Howard Home Improvement alleged to owe more than $11,000 for goods purchased
WHEELING – A Triadelphia company is alleged to have failed to pay for goods purchased on credit.
AG's office warns against price gouging during state of emergency
CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office is warning against price gouging during a state of emergency given reports of heavy rain across the state. Laws prohibiting such activity took effect early Feb. 17 with Gov. Jim Justice's declaration of a state of emergency in all 55 counties.
Loughry voted out as Chief Justice; Workman takes over for rest of year
CHARLESTON – The West Virginia Supreme Court voted Feb. 16 to make Margaret Workman the Chief Justice effective immediately, removing Justice Allen Loughry from the position.
Senate passes oversight amendment to reign in court budget
CHARLESTON – The state Senate passed a resolution Thursday evening unanimously that would give the Legislature authority to keep an eye on the judicial system’s budget.
preLaw Magazine: WVU public interest law program among tops in nation
MORGANTOWN – Jennifer Powell, director of the Center for Law and Public Service at West Virginia University’s College of Law said “WVU is a great school for those who want to become public interest lawyers,” and the law school’s recent sixth-place ranking in preLaw Magazine’s list of the top public interest law schools in the nation is evidence that WVU’s commitment to public interest law is paying off.
Flaherty managing member says new management structure 'more closely resembles that of our clients'
CHARLESTON – Flaherty Sensabaugh Bonasso Managing Member Michael Bonasso said his firm’s recent change to a management structure that includes appointment of a chief executive officer “more closely resembles that of our clients.”
Senator introduces resolution to look into impeaching Loughry
CHARLESTON – A state Senator has introduced a resolution asking the House of Delegates to look into impeaching state Supreme Court Chief Justice Allen Loughry.
Senate approves bill that would create intermediate appellate court
CHARLESTON – The state Senate has passed a bill to create an intermediate court of appeals in West Virginia.
Judge approves $1.4 million settlement in teen’s death
CHARLESTON – Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority and Metro Emergency Operations Center have been ordered to pay a total of $1.4 million for the death of a 15-year-old who collapsed after playing basketball.
WVU soon will offer legal forensics degree
MORGANTOWN – The complexity of modern white-collar crime has pointed up the need for an advanced forensics law degree that will be offered at West Virginia University beginning this summer, the director of WVU's Master of Law program said during a recent interview.
Nonprofits claim Southeastern Land, Fola Coal Co. are polluting waters
HUNTINGTON – Four nonprofit organizations allege two coal companies are harming the environment with pollutants.
Man alleges Lowe's retaliated against him for use of FMLA leave
CLARKSBURG – A Harrison County man alleges he was terminated in retaliation by his home improvement store employer for taking intermittent leave to care for a foster child.
National Guard member alleges employer terminated him because of absenses related to service
CLARKSBURG – A member of the West Virginia National Guard alleges his Morgantown employer unlawfully discharged him because of his service.
Woman seeks damages after fracturing hip in fall at Mountain Valley Realty
MARLINTON – A Virginia woman alleges she incurred more than $25,000 worth of medical expenses after a fall at a Slatyfork real estate sale and management company.
Catalyst Refiners Inc. alleged to have failed to accommodate former employee's disability
CHARLESTON – A Boone County man alleges he was terminated by his Kanawha County employer because of his disability.
Property owner alleges New Creek Wind turbines' noise causes headaches
ELKINS – The owner of property in New Creek alleges wind turbines erected near his property generate noise that has caused him harm.
Missouri employers alleged to have failed to pay former employee wages due
CHARLESTON – Two St. Louis, Missouri-based employers are alleged to have failed to pay former employees their wages in a timely manner.
Man alleges AT&T disability plan wrongfully denied benefits
HUNTINGTON – A Huntington man alleges he has been damaged by the denial of disability benefits.
Emails show Loughry's involvement in office renovations
CHARLESTON – More questions are surfacing involving who signed off on some of the renovations to the offices of state Supreme Court justices. In his latest report, WCHS-TV reporter Kennie Bass focuses on the wood medallion placed on the floor of Chief Justice Allen Loughry’s chambers. The circle features the state of West Virginia with each county cut from a different piece of wood. Tucker County, Loughry’s home county, is made of blue granite.