CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Judicial Hearing Board of West Virginia ordered a stay Monday in the Judicial Disciplinary Counsel’s proceedings regarding state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry due to pending criminal charges against him.
Loughry faces multiple charges — including mail fraud, wire fraud, tampering with a witness and lying to federal agents — in connection with court spending as well as Loughry’s use of a state vehicle and how vehicle use was reimbursed.
Loughry pleaded not guilty to the charges in the 22-count federal criminal indictment.
The state Judicial Investigation Commission filed a statement of charges last month claiming Loughry broke the Judicial Code of Conduct on 32 occasions, including repeatedly lying about court spending.
Under the order, the Judicial Disciplinary Council will have to notify the board in writing every 28 days about the status of the criminal charges.