CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The state Judicial Hearing Board is recommending the state Supreme Court censure Kanawha County Magistrate Ward Harshbarger for the way he handled a domestic violence petition that came from the ex-wife of Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants.
Magistrate Ward Harshbarger admitted to the hearing panel during a hearing Monday that he mishandled the petition and he was sorry. Harshbarger didn’t follow proper procedure and he talked about the confidential petition with someone else.
The hearing board is also recommending Harshbarger be fined $2,000.
Allison Plants eventually got the protective order from a Kanawha County Family Court judge.