Talkline with Hoppy Kercheval  Watch |  Listen

Connolly stresses oversight on flood-relief money

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The leading attorney at the West Virginia Auditor’s Office said there should be a playbook on disaster relief funding to prevent community leaders from misusing resources.

“We live in a state, geographically, that lends itself to hollows being flooded and disasters occurring,” general counsel Steve Connolly said Tuesday.

“We want to work together to create a plan for when the perfect storm hits and wipes out Richwood, Clendenin, Rainelle, White Sulphur Springs, all of these towns that suffer greatly, that the leadership of these towns don’t use that disaster as an opportunity for greed or just sheer incompetence.”

Connelly’s comments before the Joint Legislative Committee on Flooding came a month after three current and former Richwood city officials were arrested for misusing millions of dollars dedicated for June 2016 flood relief efforts. Mayor Chris Drennen, former City Recorder Abby McClung and Police Chief Lloyd Allen Cogar were charged following an audit by the state Auditor’s Office.

Former Mayor Bob Henry Baber was also arraigned on embezzlement charges for making multiple inappropriate purchases on his state-issued purchasing card.

Two recommendations regarding oversight were listed in the Auditor’s report; the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety and the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management could evaluate how federal monies are received, and the state could create a guideline on managing public funds in addition to require annual training for local government bodies.

Connelly said the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety is undertaking the first recommendation. He additionally said a playbook would give community leaders an idea of what steps to take during the first few weeks of a national emergency.

“We don’t want state funds and federal funds going towards lining the pockets of out-of-state companies that will come and take advantage of these opportunities to do nothing but set up and create a structure by which people can either continue to suffer who aren’t in positions of leadership or those that are in positions of leadership can’t use it improperly,” he said.

Delegate Caleb Hanna, R-Webster, asked Connelly what the state Auditor’s Office has done to help Richwood since the report. Connelly said they are working with the governor’s office and other state agencies on the city’s finances.

“The biggest issue we’re trying to get a grasp on is what does it take to fix Richwood,” he said.

“Those that forget history are doomed to repeat it. If you continue down the safe path with blinders on and not expect any difference in how you’re operating and expect a different result, that’s insanity.”

According to Connelly, the Auditor’s Office is addressing Richwood’s current liabilities and debts to understand what modifications can be made to the city’s finances.





More News

News
Pushkin predicts 'mass exodus' from state government jobs with elimination of tele-work policy
Democratic leader calls the move unfair.
March 29, 2024 - 11:39 am
News
MetroNews This Morning 3-29-24
Summary of West Virginia news, sports, and weather for Friday, March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024 - 6:24 am
News
Dunlow Volunteer Fire Department closes
The Dunlow VFD did not have a valid workers compensation insurance policy.
March 29, 2024 - 1:23 am
News
As Yeager Airport's Wildlife Patrol Dog turns 7, a new dog comes in to learn from him
The new Border Collie is getting acclimated and receiving training for his soon-to-be role.
March 28, 2024 - 6:30 pm