CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — A year-long controversy in Jefferson County is over.
Former county commissioners Tricia Jackson and Jennifer Krouse each pleaded no contest Friday to a single misdemeanor charge of failure to perform elected duties while 41 other counts were dropped as part of a plea bargain agreement with a special prosecutor. The pleas were first reported by the Martinsburg Journal.
Jackson and Krouse were removed from office earlier this year. They lost on appeal to the state Supreme Court which was released Thursday. They entered their no contest pleas the next day.
The commissioners were charged in March with failing in their duty to perform their duties by willfully refusing to attend commission meetings beginning in September 2023. Moreover, they repeatedly refused to meet and help select a fifth commissioner who would fill a vacancy.
MORE Read Supreme Court opinion here
Local officials contended that being unable to get a quorum resulted in real-life consequences including failure to hire and promote essential county employees, failing to approve contracts including a security contract for the county’s computer software, failure to release bonds or letters of credit, failure to approve grant applications and more.
A three-judge panel heard evidence from Jefferson County Prosecutor Matt Harvey during a March removal hearing. The panel announced its decision in May to remove Jackson and Krouse.
The state Supreme Court opinion filed Thursday, authored by Justice Beth Walker. affirms the removal. Justice Tim Armstead filed a concurring opinion.
MORE Read concussing opinion here
Jackson and Krouse were fined $50 each Friday and ordered to pay court costs.
The case was prosecuted by Grant County Prosecutor John Ours.
There are four county commission seats up for election in Jefferson County on Tuesday.