CHARLESTON — West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey's office has returned more than $600,000 to the state general fund.
The $632,399 transfer marked the sixth consecutive fiscal year that the Attorney General’s Office has voluntarily returned significant money to the state’s general fund – a cumulative tally of more than $38 million.
In making the announcement Sept. 25, Morrisey said he believes returning that money demonstrates his administration’s efforts to help the state’s budget. That includes running an efficient office and successfully managing settlement monies in a manner to help reduce the tax bill of West Virginians.
Morrisey
“As our state deals with a major financial crisis, my office knows the importance of giving back,” Morrisey said. “Taxpayers should realize the benefit of the hard work of our office and what it means in a time where each and every dollar counts.”
The latest transfer is the results of various antitrust settlements and lawsuits filed by the office. The funds are provided from the office’s antitrust fund. Each dollar returned to the Legislature represents one less dollar its members must take from the Rainy Day Fund to balance the state’s struggling budget.
Morrisey said the move upholds his campaign promise that the AG's office should return settlement monies to the state, while responsibly keeping enough resources to operate the Consumer Protection Division.