BERKELEY COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A newly filed civil lawsuit in Berkeley County Circuit Court lays out a sweeping and deeply troubling series of allegations involving claims of defamation, extortion, sexual misconduct, political retaliation, and a chain of events that the plaintiff says culminated in his arrest, loss of office, and severe personal harm.
The complaint, filed October 14, 2025, by Dr. Joseph de Soto, MD, PhD, names Cheryl Kump as the sole defendant and seeks more than $1.1 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
The Parties
According to the filing, Dr. de Soto is a long-time Berkeley County resident, an internationally published physician-scientist with medical and doctoral degrees from Howard University, and fellowship training at the National Institutes of Health. He was elected as a West Virginia House of Delegates member in November 2024 but alleges he was prevented from taking office as a result of the defendant’s actions.
The defendant, Cheryl Kump, is also identified as a Berkeley County resident. The complaint states she is married to Larry Kump, a local political figure and campaign operative known to the plaintiff for more than a decade.
Origins of the Relationship
The lawsuit states that the relationship between the parties began in February 2024, when Larry Kump allegedly asked Dr. de Soto to help interpret medical test results for his wife. The plaintiff claims he provided assistance free of charge, including phone calls, emails, and multiple in-person meetings at medical facilities over several months.
The complaint emphasizes that this assistance was strictly professional and rooted in goodwill, citing Dr. de Soto’s medical background and longstanding acquaintance with the Kump family.
Allegations of Bizarre and Sexualized Conduct
According to the filing, events escalated in August 2024, when Cheryl Kump allegedly insisted on meeting Dr. de Soto in person at a public restaurant. During that meeting, the complaint alleges Kump claimed to be a “priestess and clairvoyant” and began making alarming statements about Dr. de Soto’s political campaign and campaign staff.
The complaint details allegations that Kump:
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Claimed campaign manager Christine Miller was “evil” and would betray him
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Referred to supernatural beings, including an “angel Moroni” and divine communications
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Made explicit sexual statements involving her husband
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Used derogatory sexual language and attempted physical contact
The plaintiff alleges he immediately rejected the behavior, pulled away, and ended the meeting.
Alleged Smear Campaign and Online Harassment
Shortly after the August meeting, the complaint alleges Dr. de Soto became the target of online slander, including accusations that he was a “dirty Jew,” “fake doctor,” “illegal alien,” and “war criminal,” allegedly spread by political operatives connected to the defendant.
The lawsuit claims Dr. de Soto suspected Cheryl Kump played a role in this smear campaign, though he continued limited contact in hopes of helping with medical issues and avoiding escalation.
Election Victory and Escalation
In November 2024, Dr. de Soto won his delegate race by a landslide, according to the complaint. Rather than subsiding, the filing claims the attacks intensified and included:
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Alleged death threats
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References to an alleged murder attempt
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Racist and antisemitic remarks attributed to unnamed local political figures
The plaintiff further alleges he began distancing himself from the Kump family in December 2024 after concluding they were contributing to the hostility.
The December Phone Call
A central event in the lawsuit is a December 10, 2024 phone call, which Dr. de Soto says he placed on speakerphone so witnesses could hear. According to the complaint, during that call Cheryl Kump:
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Demanded he fire his campaign manager
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Claimed she knew local magistrates, police officers, and state troopers
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Asserted authorities would “believe a white woman over a Mexican Jew”
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Threatened legal and criminal consequences if he switched political parties
The complaint alleges this amounted to extortion and blackmail, tying political actions to threats of arrest or reputational destruction.
Arrest and Aftermath
The filing states that on the night of December 11, 2024, multiple armed state troopers arrived at Dr. de Soto’s home while he was on oxygen for serious heart and pulmonary conditions. He alleges he was forcibly removed from medical equipment and arrested for making terroristic threats — a charge he claims was fabricated based on false statements provided by Cheryl Kump.
The complaint further alleges:
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Exculpatory evidence was ignored or altered
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Witnesses to the phone call were not interviewed
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A $300,000 cash-only bond was imposed
That same evening, the plaintiff’s campaign manager, Christine Miller, was found deceased in her home, a fact noted in the complaint without alleging direct responsibility but cited as part of the broader fallout.
Legal Claims and Damages Sought
The lawsuit asserts two primary causes of action:
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Defamation, libel, and slander, including perjury and malicious false statements
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Extortion, blackmail, and intentional infliction of emotional distress
Dr. de Soto claims he suffered:
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Loss of elected office
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Loss of income and future earnings
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Severe reputational damage
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Physical and emotional harm requiring hospitalization
He is seeking no less than $600,000 in compensatory damages and $500,000 in punitive damages.
Case Status
The case is filed in Berkeley County Circuit Court under case number CC-02-2025-C-559. As of the filing, no response from the defendant is included in the record. All allegations remain unproven and represent claims made by the plaintiff in a civil complaint.
