CLARKSBURG — Two West Virginia magistrates were indicted on wire fraud, mail fraud and obstruction charges on Tuesday.
Lewis County Magistrate Roger D. Clem Jr. and Gilmer County Magistrate Alton L. Skinner II were each indicted on one count of conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud; two counts of wire fraud; two counts of mail fraud; and one count of obstruction of justice.
Skinner was also charged with one count of giving a false statement to a federal agent.
The magistrates were both suspended without pay but the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals after U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of West Virginia Bill Powell announced the indictments.
The magistrates are accused of arranging bonds of detainees through a company owned by Skinner's spouse that employs his son. The company, E-Z Out, is an authorized bonding agent.
"Clem is accused of taking favorable actions in the courtroom for E-Z Out, including setting unnecessary surety bonds," according to a press release by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. "Clem is accused of calling Skinner to arrange the bond of a detainee without presenting a list of authorized bonding companies to the detainee."
The release claims Skinner would allegedly arrange for his spouse or son, as agents of E-Z Out, to be present at the arraignment of the detainee without the detainee’s informed choice of E-Z Out amongst other authorized bonding companies.
The United States is seeking a monetary judgment in the amount of $18,900 from the magistrates. They face up to 20 years in prison a fine of up to $250,000 for each of the conspiracy wire fraud and mail fraud, and obstruction counts.
Skinner also faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the false statement count.
