CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice doubled down on his position that state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry should resign, while legislative Democrats again urged impeachment to begin.
Loughry was indicted on 22 federal counts Wednesday morning. The charges include fraud, false statement and witness tampering offenses.
The charges stemmed from the accusations that Loughry had renovated his office at great cost, took home state furniture and equipment and used a state vehicle for personal gain — but were compounded by false statements the charges say he made to federal investigators.
Approached by reporters today at a West Virginia Day Celebration, Governor Justice said he stands by his previous statement that Loughry should resign.
“I already have, and he should immediately. This is preposterous. Everyone deserves their day in court. I mean, we’re all innocent until proven guilty. But there’s a mountain of issues here that would say at the very least step aside and resign and resign right now,” the governor said.
Justice’s earlier statement, issued after Loughry was hit with 32 charges by the state Judicial Investigation Commission and suspended, included the governor’s position that he would be open to a special session to pursue impeachment.
Senate President Mitch Carmichael, R-Jackson, released a statement this afternoon calling for Loughry to step down. But Carmichael’s statement did not call for impeachment.
“There is an established system in place to adjudicate and fairly resolve this matter,” Carmichael stated. “Nevertheless, the confidence and workmanship in the judicial branch of government must be held to the highest standards of propriety and respect. Therefore, Justice Loughry should immediately resign his position as Justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.”
House Speaker Tim Armstead also said Loughry should resign. Armstead, R-Kanawha, said the Legislature will continue to weigh its options but did not explicitly call for impeachment proceedings.
“While he has been suspended from sitting on the court and is not receiving pay, I would reiterate my belief that it is in our state’s best interest for Justice Loughry to resign so we can begin the long process of restoring our citizens’ trust in their judicial system,” Armstead stated.
“Regardless of what course Justice Loughry may choose to take, the Legislature will continue its work to get to the bottom of what has occurred, to evaluate the evidence and assess how best to proceed to ensure that our judges and all public officials are held to the highest legal and ethical standards.”
Legislative Democrats today renewed their call for immediate action to allow the Legislature to begin impeachment proceedings of Justice Loughry.
“The Governor and Republican leadership must take immediate action — and I am hoping that perhaps today’s news will prompt them to finally initiate an impeachment proceeding,” stated House Minority Leader Tim Miley, D-Harrison.
“Continued delay reflects tacit indifference to his behavior.”
Senate Minority Leader Roman Prezioso said a special session for impeachment should happen as soon as possible.
“This saga has gone on long enough, and the Governor must call a special session to help restore the trust of all West Virginians in the justice system by allowing the impeachment process to begin so that the people can elect a new Supreme Court Justice in November,” stated Prezioso D-Marion. “Time is of the essence.”
Justice’s initial reaction today had to do with how Loughry’s indictment affects people’s view of the state.
“It saddens me. When you think our ex-chief justice is surely suspicioned of many, many problems that are extremely serious, it just casts another shadow of negativity to West Virginia. We don’t need this. We just plain don’t need this. That’s all there is to it,” Justice said at the state Culture Center.
“So many of our elected officials along the way have opted out to do things that were self-centered things and things that could benefit themselves. We need to change that. We need to change that where people genuinely are here to serve.”
The state Republican Party called the charges against Loughry troubling but left open what should be done.
“I urge our elected leaders in the Legislature to appropriately evaluate these developments and determine what actions, if any, are warranted,” Republican Party Chairwoman Melody Potter stated in a news release.