Associated Press Published

Huntington Mayor Won't Face Charges over Ex-Chief's Payout

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A grand jury has decided against bringing charges against Huntington Mayor Steve Williams over a payout issued to a former Huntington police chief.

Special prosecutor Craig Tatterson confirmed the grand jury’s findings Thursday. Tatterson told The Herald-Dispatch that he does not plan to pursue the case further.

The legality of the 2015 payout to former police chief Skip Holbrook by Williams was investigated by the West Virginia State Police at the request of the Cabell County prosecutor’s office.

Prosecutor Sean Hammers requested that his office be recused from the case, and Tatterson was named special prosecutor.

City councilman Scott Caserta had complained to Hammers that a $35,000 payout to Holbrook was for unused sick leave and in violation of a city ordinance.