BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS)- Following the dismissal of a domestic violence petition on Wednesday morning, Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield has announced that he is ceasing his voluntary leave from the office and returning to work today.
Hatfield had been under fire over the last month following the filing of a domestic violence petition that was dismissed by two magistrates, and a family court judge, and then voluntarily withdrawn by the Petitioner today. During the course of those proceedings, the County Commission has been in receipt of notices to preserve evidence from County employees with grievances. According to Hatfield, he voluntarily took leave to allow for the County Commission and the employees to air those grievances and evaluate them without the appearance of his influence. It has been noted that the County Commission does not have the ability to place an elected official on leave or suspension, and Hatfield’s absence of his own volition.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce that I will be ceasing my voluntary leave from the Prosecutor’s Office effective tomorrow morning. While rumors have spread about my conduct in office, I have been determined to allow the County Commission to investigate these allegations. It was my desire to do that without my presence hindering their ability to carry out their duties.
Now that an opportunity has been given for persons to come forward with complaints without my presence impeding them, and the Commission has had time to review those complaints and make their own findings without my influence, it is time for me to resume my duties as the Chief Law Enforcement Officer of Raleigh County.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Raleigh County as their elected Prosecuting Attorney. It is a position that I cherish and respect. I regret that we had to go through this process, but now that it is over, I am ready, willing, and able to return to work and continue the mission of making Raleigh County the best place to live, work, and raise a family.
There is much work to be done to make our county safe and enforce the laws of our State. Thank you for the opportunity to lead in that work, and I look forward to continuing to serve you as fervently as I am capable. I thank you for your support and trust as I carry out this vital mission in our community.”
Hatfield, a Republican, was first elected Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney in 2020, and is running again in the 2024 election unopposed.
