HUNTINGTON – The Judicial Investigation Commission has voted to dismiss the complaint against Cabell Circuit Judge Alfred E. Ferguson by the law partner of his election opponent.
The commission voted 8-0 to unanimously dismiss the complaint against Ferguson, stating they found no merit or probable cause of a violation.
Neil Bouchillon said the complaint was filed by Jon Hoover of Hoover Andrews Law Firm directly with the commission and included outlandish allegations of campaign irregularities.
The commission met April 25 and voted to dismiss the complaint.
“The commission said there was no merit to this whatsoever,” Bouchillon said.
Bouchillon said these allegations were made by someone who is an officer of a court who has a duty to be ethical.
“We will deal with Mr. Hoover after the election,” Bouchillon said. “We won’t stoop to his level.”
Hoover alleged that Ferguson approached an attorney with another law firm on Feb. 16, saying he was aware of that firm's endorsement of Scott Andrews and how much three partners in that firm had contributed to Andrews' campaign.
Hoover also alleged that Ferguson knew the exact amount donated by the law firm and could only have obtained that information through the bank where the personal checks were deposited.
Hoover is Andrews’ law partner. Andrews is running against Ferguson for the Division 1 seat in CabelL Circuit Court in the May 10 primary election.
“Ferguson is a fantastic judge,” Bouchillon said. “He is a role model and a senior status judge. He won’t play dirty like this.”