Story by Luke Wiggs, WEPM Radio
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Testimony wrapped up Wednesday in the attempt to remove two members of the Jefferson County Commission from office.
A three-judge panel heard from witnesses during the two-day proceeding that will determine if commissioners Jennifer Krouse and Tricia Jackson should be removed from their elected positions for not attending a number of meetings last year.
Krouse and Jackson refused to attend meetings for the better part of two months late last summer, which Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey told the three-judge panel halted county business and could have taken the county completely offline.
Krouse and Jackson were protesting the selection process being used to fill a vacancy on the commission.
In his closing argument, Harvey told the three-judge panel the decision by Krouse and Jackson not to attend seven straight meetings was a way to seize power.
“It was a protest over a personal disagreement,” adding the two commissioners “took the county government hostage.”
Krouse-Jackson attorney Traci Wiley argued the two were not guilty of misconduct and said Harvey cited no specific statute that was violated. She said Harvey used a “catch-all provision” to make his case against the commissioners.
Wiley also blamed Jefferson County Commission President Steve Stolipher for continually leaving an item on the county commission agenda that Krouse and Jackson refused to attend meetings over. Wiley called it the whole process a “legal impossibility.”
Earlier Wednesday, Harvey called several Jefferson County workers who explained the slowdown of county business because the county commission was unable to meeting because it lacked a quorum.
Among the concerns of witnesses was the possible lapsing of county contracts. Mike Sine, county director of emergency services, and Russell Burgess, director of information technology, of being forced to get extensions on contracts because the commission wasn’t meeting.
Late in the morning, both Krouse and Jackson were called to the witness stand, each invoking their 5th amendment rights against self incrimination.
Also taking the stand during the initial parts of the hearing were Stolipher, Commissioner Jane Tabb, Deak Kersey of the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
Both sides now have until the middle of April to present findings and facts and conclusions of law. The three-judge panel is expected to issue its ruling by the end of April.
A special prosecutor appointed to investigate the controversy has brought criminal charges against Krouse and Jackson, alleging they failed to carry out their legally bound responsibilities. They are also accused of conspiring to violate the law. There are 42 separate charges—all misdemeanors, but if convicted they could be sent to jail and fined.