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WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Morrisey says office with continue fight against fraud despite governor’s veto

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CHARLESTON – West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey is voicing his displeasure with a bill Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin vetoed that affects investigators from the AG's office.

Tomblin on April 1 vetoed Senate Bill 272, which would allow investigators from the Attorney General’s office to carry concealed weapons.

“This veto prevents our frontline investigators from receiving the same protections offered to investigators in the Office of the Secretary of State and the Legislature's Commission on Special Investigations,” Morrisey said. “Amazingly, Governor Tomblin signed nearly identical legislation in 2013 regarding both the Office of the Secretary of State and the Commission on Special Investigations, but made the decision not to afford our investigators the same potentially lifesaving protections.”

Morrisey said the bill was a bipartisan bill that enjoyed nearly unanimous support in the legislature and these protections were strongly backed by the federal law enforcement partners.

“Our investigators, and our office, will continue the fight against fraud despite the obstacles placed in our path,” he said.

Morrisey said that his office and investigators will continue the fight against fraud despite the obstacles placed in its path.

Previously this year, Morrisey praised the passage of SB 272, saying that it would allow investigators to carry concealed weapons in their official capacity. The bill had passed both houses and was awaiting Tomblin’s signature at that point.

Tomblin said he vetoed the bill in the interest of public safety.

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