BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Members of the Raleigh County Commission assembled on Thursday for a Special Meeting Session at which a resolution was presented to remove Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield from office.
Billed as a Special Meeting pertaining to personnel matters via the released agenda, the meeting saw all commissioners enter into Executive Session shortly following the outset of the meeting.
The resolution was announced upon the return of commissioner from Executive Session, and follows a precious announcement from the commission that a Special Investigation was being set into motion with regard to complaints of misconduct by Hatfield.
Specifically, Thursday’s announcement cites “misconduct and neglect of duty” as central issues to the ongoing situation and key factors with regard to the announcement of the resolution.
Also cited by Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth was Section §6-6-7 of West Virginia Code, which states that, “a person holding a county, school district, or municipal office can be removed for official misconduct, neglect of duty, or incompetence. This includes the office of a member of a board of education or the office of magistrate.”
Duckworth stated that the petition for the resolution in question would be filed later in the day on Thursday and that the petition itself would be available from the Raleigh County Circuit Clerk’s Office or by FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request.
The commission has stated that further information pertaining to the matter will not be released as the situation involves county personnel.
“This does remain a personal and legal matter, and Raleigh County Commission will have no further comments or statements,” said Raleigh County Commission President, Greg Duckworth just prior to the meeting’s adjournment.
