CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — A second West Virginia Supreme Court justice is facing a federal felony charge related to the personal use of state-owned vehicles and fuel cards.
U.S Attorney Mike Stuart said Tuesday that Menis Ketchum waived his right to an indictment and agreed to plead guilty to a federal charge of one count of wire fraud. Stuart said Ketchum now faces a plea hearing and up to 20 years in prison.
Ketchum abruptly announced on July 11 that he would step down effective July 27, two years before the end of his term. He gave no reason for his resignation.
Another justice, Allen Loughry, pleaded not guilty in federal court last month to multiple counts involving alleged fraud. He was suspended over similar allegations that he repeatedly lied about using his office for personal gain.
From what I can surmise, Ketchum is a Democrat and Loughry is a Republican. Something must be leaching into the drinking water in W.Va. to have so many problems on their Supreme Court. Coal ash perhaps?
Menis Ketchum? That first name evokes the old joke: Q: Why did Elvis Presley’s mother not like him to be called Elvis the Pelvis? A: Because he had a brother named Enos.
The West Virginia judicial system has been deeply, utterly corrupted by the coal companies. Top to bottom, bought out patsies of the coal barons, and once people are bought, they stop caring about other proprieties. Maybe they think their masters will protect them too or something, or they think they got away with one thing so they can get away with everything else. But I would be surprised if there’s a single clean judge left in the state.
Gotta catch 'em all.