Panel Clears 3 West Virginia Justices in Ethics Cases

The West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission says it has closed ethics investigations involving three state Supreme Court justices without disciplinary action.

The commission issued letters Monday to Justices Robin Jean Davis and Beth Walker and Chief Justice Margaret L. Workman closing all outstanding complaints against them.

The commission said in a news release that the complaints filed by the Judicial Disciplinary Counsel alleged the justices violated the Code of Judicial Conduct by using state funds to pay for lunches for themselves, their administrative assistants and court security officers while they were discussing cases and administrative matters in conference.

But the commission found the lunches made the court more efficient.

The commission investigated allegations against Justice Allen Loughry and filed a 32-count statement of charges against him on June 6.