WV High Court Justice Stole a Desk, Charged With Fraud
In what is certainly not a puzzling display in some hokey 'believe it or not' museum, West Virginia Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry has just been charged with 22 criminal charges, including one count for taking a historic desk home with him from work.
Other charges include several varieties of fraud and false statements, as well as witness tampering. It is alleged that he misused "Supreme Court vehicles" and used his government credit card to fill up that car. While this may seem a bit petty, it's alleged that when he was questioned, he lied and engaged in further alleged misconduct.
Falling From on High, Over a Buick
Justice Loughry was arrested this week, and earlier this month he was suspended without pay. Making matters worse of Loughry, the state's Judicial Investigations Commission has moved to revoke his license to practice.
Although misusing your employer provided vehicle may not seem to be such an awful misdeed warranting such hefty punishment, or even criminal charges, when coupled with the other alleged actions of lying and seeking to hide it, and the fact he stole a historic desk, it simply doesn't make sense not to include even the smallest charges. Furthermore, he allegedly lied about gaining access to a Buick, which, given the brand's recently acquired reputation for hurting the eyes of those who behold their rolling atrocities, makes it just all the worse.
What's This About the Desk?
Apparently, Judge Loughry held the opinion that because the justices were allowed to have home offices, he could furnish that office with whatever furniture he saw fit. The court said he was wrong. In the process, he had a historic desk and leather couch moved from the courthouse to his home office. When it was discovered, he attempted to have the couch and desk moved back without anyone being the wiser. Clearly, he failed.
Related Resources:
- Former Convict Defies Odds, Becomes a Lawyer (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Septuagenarian Law Grad an Oldie but Goodie (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)
- Are Student Loan Bankruptcies on the Horizon? (FindLaw's Greedy Associates)