As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT FOR THE
JUSTICES OF THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
OF WEST VIRGINIA

1

Resolved by the House of Delegates:

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BE IT RESOLVED, That, pursuant to the authority granted by the House of Delegates of

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West Virginia to the House Committee on the Judiciary in House Resolution 201, dated June 26,

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2018, the Committee on the Judiciary recommends to the House of Delegates of West Virginia:

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THAT, pursuant to the authority granted to the House of Delegates in Section 9, Article IV

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of the Constitution of the State of West Virginia, that Chief Justice Margaret Workman, Justice

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Allen Loughry, Justice Robin Davis, and Justice Elizabeth Walker, Justices of the Supreme Court

8

of Appeals of West Virginia, be impeached for maladministration, corruption, incompetency,

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neglect of duty, and certain high crimes and misdemeanors committed in their capacity and by

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virtue of their offices as Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and that said

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Articles of Impeachment, being fourteen in number, be and are hereby adopted by the House of

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Delegates, and that the same shall be exhibited to the Senate in the following words and figures,

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to wit:

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ARTICLES exhibited by the House of Delegates of the State of West Virginia in the name of

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themselves and all of the people of the State of West Virginia against:

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Margaret Workman, who was at the general election held in November 2008, duly

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elected to the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia
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 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

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and on the 29th day of December 2008, after having duly qualified as a Justice by

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taking the required oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the

3

Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of that

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office to the best of her skill and judgment, entered upon the discharge of the duties

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thereof; and on the 16th day of February 2018, was elevated to the position of Chief

6

Justice and entered upon the discharge of the duties thereof; and

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Allen Loughry, who was at the general election held in November 2012, duly

8

elected to the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

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and on the 14th day of December 2012, after having duly qualified as a Justice by

10

taking the required oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the

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Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of that

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office to the best of her skill and judgment, entered upon the discharge of the duties

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thereof; and

14

Robin Davis, who was at the general election held in November 2012 duly elected

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to the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and on

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the 13th day of January 2013, after having duly qualified as a Justice by taking the

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required oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution

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of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of that office to the

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best of her skill and judgment, entered upon the discharge of the duties thereof;

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and

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Elizabeth Walker, who was at the general election held in November 2016 duly

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elected to the office of Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia

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and on the 5th day of December 2016, after having duly qualified as a Justice by
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 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

taking the required oath to support the Constitution of the United States and the

2

Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of that

3

office to the best of her skill and judgment, entered upon the discharge of the duties

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thereof; and

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In maintenance and support of their impeachment against them Margaret

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Workman,

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maladministration, corruption, incompetency, neglect of duty, and certain high

8

crimes and misdemeanors.

Allen

Loughry,

Robin

Davis,

and

Elizabeth

Walker

for

Article I
9

That the said Chief Justice Margaret Workman, and Justice Robin Davis, being at all times

10

relevant Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and at various relevant times

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individually each Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia unmindful of the

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duties of their high offices, and contrary to the oaths taken by them to support the Constitution of

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the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of their offices as such Justices, while

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in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justices, in violation of their oaths of office, then

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and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of their offices, commencing in or about 2012,

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did knowingly and intentionally act, and each subsequently oversee in their capacity as Chief

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Justice, and did in that capacity as Chief Justice severally sign and approve the contracts

18

necessary to facilitate, at each such relevant time, to overpay certain Senior Status Judges in

19

violation of the statutory limited maximum salary for such Judges, which overpayment is a

20

violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §51-2-13 and W.Va. Code §51-9-10, and, in violation of

21

an Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Appeals, in potential violation of the provisions

22

of W.Va. Code §61-3-22, relating to the crime of falsification of accounts with intent to enable or

23

assist any person to obtain money to which he was not entitled, and in potential violation of the
3

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

provisions of W.Va. Code §5-10-45, relating to the crime of fraud against the West Virginia Public

2

Employees Retirement System, and, in potential violation of the provisions set forth in W.Va. Code

3

§61-3-24, relating to the crime of obtaining money, property and services by false pretenses, and,

4

all of the above are in violation of the provisions of Canon I and Canon II of the West Virginia

5

Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article II
6

That the said Chief Justice Margaret Workman, Justice Allen Loughry, Justice Robin

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Davis, and Justice Elizabeth Walker, being at all times relevant Justices of the Supreme Court of

8

Appeals of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of their high offices, and contrary to the oaths

9

taken by them to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the

10

duties of their offices as such Justices, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of

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Justices, in violation of their oaths of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the

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duties of their offices, did, in the absence of any policy to prevent or control expenditure, waste

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state funds with little or no concern for the costs to be borne by the tax payers for unnecessary

14

and lavish spending for various purposes including, but without limitation, to certain examples,

15

such as: to remodel state offices, for large increases in travel budgets—including unaccountable

16

personal use of state vehicles, for unneeded computers for home use, for regular lunches from

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restaurants, and for framing of personal items and other such wasteful expenditure not necessary

18

for the administration of justice and the execution of the duties of the Court; and, did fail to provide

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or prepare reasonable and proper supervisory oversight of the operations of the Court and the

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subordinate courts by failing to carry out one or more of the following necessary and proper

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administrative activities:

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A) To prepare and adopt sufficient and effective travel policies prior to October of 2016,

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and failed thereafter to properly effectuate such policy by excepting the Justices from

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 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
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said policies, and subjected subordinates and employees to a greater burden than the

2

Justices;

3

B) To report taxable fringe benefits, such as car use and regular lunches, on Federal W-

4

2s, despite full knowledge of the Internal Revenue Service Regulations, and further

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subjected subordinates and employees to a greater burden than the Justices, in this

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regard, and upon notification of such violation, failed to speedily comply with requests

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to make such reporting consistent with applicable law;

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C) To provide proper supervision, control, and auditing of the use of state purchasing

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cards leading to multiple violations of state statutes and policies regulating the proper

10

use of such cards, including failing to obtain proper prior approval for large purchases;

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D) To prepare and adopt sufficient and effective home office policies which would govern

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the Justices’ home computer use, and which led to a lack of oversight which

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encouraged the conversion of property;

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E) To provide effective supervision and control over record keeping with respect to the

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use of state automobiles, which has already resulted in an executed information upon

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one former Justice and the indictment of another Justice.

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F) To provide effective supervision and control over inventories of state property owned

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by the Court and subordinate courts, which led directly to the undetected absence of

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valuable state property, including, but not limited to, a state-owned desk and a state-

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owned computer;

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G) To provide effective supervision and control over purchasing procedures which directly

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lead to inadequate cost containment methods, including the rebidding of the

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purchases of goods and services utilizing a system of large unsupervised change

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orders, all of which encouraged waste of taxpayer funds.

5

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

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The failure by the Justices, individually and collectively, to carry out these necessary and proper

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administrative activities constitute a violation of the provisions of Canon I and Canon II of the West

3

Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article III
4

That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

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West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

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support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his

7

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

8

his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, did on or

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about June 20, 2013, cause a certain desk, of a type colloquially known as a “Cass Gilbert” desk,

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to be transported from the State Capitol to his home, and did maintain possession of such desk

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in his home, where it remained throughout his term as Justice for approximately four and one-half

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years, in violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §29-1-7 (b), prohibiting the removal of original

13

furnishings of the state capitol from the premises; further, the expenditure of state funds to

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transport the desk to his home, and refusal to return the desk to the state, constitute the use of

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state resources and property for personal gain in violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §6B-

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2-5, the provisions of the West Virginia State Ethics Act, and constitute a violation of the provisions

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of Canon I of the West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article IV
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That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

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West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

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support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his

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office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

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his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, did
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 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

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beginning in or about December 2012, intentionally acquired and used state government

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computer equipment and hardware for predominately personal use—including a computer not

3

intended to be connected to the court’s network, utilized state resources to install computer

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access services at his home for predominately personal use, and utilized state resources to

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provide maintenance and repair of computer services for his residence resulting from

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predominately personal use; all of which acts constitute the use of state resources and property

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for personal gain in violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §6B-2-5, the provisions of the West

8

Virginia State Ethics Act, and constitute a violation of the provisions of Canon I of the West Virginia

9

Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article V
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That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

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West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

12

support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his

13

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

14

his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, did

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beginning in or about December 2012, and continuing for a period of years, intentionally acquire

16

and use state government vehicles for personal use; including, but not limited to, using a state

17

vehicle and gasoline purchased utilizing a state issued fuel purchase card to travel to the

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Greenbrier on one or more occasions for book signings and sales, which such acts enriched his

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family and which acts constitute the use of state resources and property for personal gain in

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violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §6B-2-5, the provisions of the West Virginia State Ethics

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Act, and constitute a violation of the provisions of Canon I of the West Virginia Code of Judicial

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Conduct.

7

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

Article VI
1

That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being at all times relevant a Justice of the Supreme

2

Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and at that relevant time individually Chief Justice of the

3

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high offices, and

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contrary to the oaths taken by him to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and

5

faithfully discharge the duties of his office as such Justices, while in the exercise of the functions

6

of the office of Justice, in violation of his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge

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of the duties of his office, did on or about May 19, 2017, did in his capacity as Chief Justice, draft

8

an Administrative Order of the Supreme Court of Appeals, bearing his signature, authorizing the

9

Supreme Court of Appeals to overpay certain Senior Status Judges in violation of the statutorily

10

limited maximum salary for such Judges, which overpayment is a violation of the provisions of

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W.Va. Code §51-2-13 and W.Va. Code §51-9-10; his authorization of such overpayments was a

12

violation of the clear statutory law of the state of West Virginia, as set forth in those relevant Code

13

sections, and, was an act in potential violation of the provisions set forth in W.Va. Code §61-3-

14

22, relating to the crime of falsification of accounts with intent to enable or assist any person to

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obtain money to which he was not entitled, and in potential violation of the provisions of W.Va.

16

Code §5-10-45, relating to the crime of fraud against the West Virginia Public Employees

17

Retirement System, and, in potential violation of the provisions set forth in W.Va. Code §61-3-24,

18

relating to the crime of obtaining money, property and services by false pretenses, and all of the

19

above are in violation of the provisions of Canon I and Canon II of the West Virginia Code of

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Judicial Conduct.

Article VII
21

That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

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West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

23

support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his
8

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

2

his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, did waste

3

state funds with little or no concern for the costs to be borne by the tax payer for unnecessary and

4

lavish spending in the renovation and remodeling of his personal office, to the sum of

5

approximately $363,000, which sum included the purchase of a $31,924 couch, a $33,750 floor,

6

and other such wasteful expenditure not necessary for the administration of justice and the

7

execution of the duties of the Court, which represents a waste of state funds.

Article VIII
8

That the said Justice Elizabeth Walker, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals

9

of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of her high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by her

10

to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of her

11

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

12

her oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of her office, did waste

13

state funds with little or no concern for the costs to be borne by the tax payer for unnecessary and

14

lavish spending in the renovation and remodeling of her personal office, which had been largely

15

remodeled less than seven years prior, to the sum of approximately $131,000, which sum

16

included, but is not limited to, the purchase of approximately $27,000 in items listed as office

17

furnishings and wallpaper, and other such wasteful expenditure not necessary for the

18

administration of justice and the execution of the duties of the Court, which represents a waste of

19

state funds.

Article IX
20

That the said Justice Robin Davis, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

21

West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of her high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by her to

22

support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of her
9

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

2

her oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of her office, did waste

3

state funds with little or no concern for the costs to be borne by the tax payer for unnecessary and

4

lavish spending in the renovation and remodeling of her personal office, to the sum of

5

approximately $500,000, which sum included, but is not limited to, the purchase of an oval rug

6

that cost approximately $20,500, a desk chair that cost approximately $8,000 and over $23,000

7

in design services, and other such wasteful expenditure not necessary for the administration of

8

justice and the execution of the duties of the Court, which represents a waste of state funds.

Article X
9

That the said Justice Robin Davis, being at all times relevant a Justice of the Supreme

10

Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and at certain relevant times individually Chief Justice of the

11

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of her high offices, and

12

contrary to the oaths taken by her to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and

13

faithfully discharge the duties of his office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions

14

of the office of Justice, in violation of her oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge

15

of the duties of her office, did in the year 2014, did in her capacity as Chief Justice, sign certain

16

Forms WV 48, to retain and compensate certain Senior Status Judges the execution of which

17

forms allowed the Supreme Court of Appeals to overpay those certain Senior Status Judges in

18

violation of the statutorily limited maximum salary for such Judges, which overpayment is a

19

violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §51-2-13 and W.Va. Code §51-9-10; her authorization

20

of such overpayments was a violation of the clear statutory law of the state of West Virginia, as

21

set forth in those relevant Code sections, and, was an act in potential violation of the provisions

22

set forth in W.Va. Code §61-3-22, relating to the crime of falsification of accounts with intent to

23

enable or assist any person to obtain money to which he was not entitled, and in potential violation

24

of the provisions of W.Va. Code §5-10-45, relating to the crime of fraud against the West Virginia
10

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

Public Employees Retirement System, and, in potential violation of the provisions set forth in

2

W.Va. Code §61-3-24, relating to the crime of obtaining money, property and services by false

3

pretenses, and all of the above are in violation of the provisions of Canon I and Canon II of the

4

West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article XI
5

That the said Chief Justice Margaret Workman, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of

6

Appeals of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of her high office, and contrary to the oaths

7

taken by her to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the

8

duties of her office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice,

9

in violation of her oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of her

10

office, did waste state funds with little or no concern for the costs to be borne by the tax payer for

11

unnecessary and lavish spending in the renovation and remodeling of her personal office, to the

12

sum of approximately $111,000, which sum included, but is not limited to, the purchase of wide

13

plank cherry flooring, and other such wasteful expenditure not necessary for the administration of

14

justice and the execution of the duties of the Court, which represents a waste of state funds.

Article XII
15

That the said Justice Margaret Workman, being at all times relevant a Justice of the

16

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, and at certain relevant times individually Chief Justice

17

of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of her high offices, and

18

contrary to the oaths taken by her to support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and

19

faithfully discharge the duties of his office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions

20

of the office of Justice, in violation of her oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge

21

of the duties of her office, did in the year 2015, did in her capacity as Chief Justice, sign certain

22

Forms WV 48, to retain and compensate certain Senior Status Judges the execution of which
11

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
(Articles may be renumbered, but content will not change.)

1

forms allowed the Supreme Court of Appeals to overpay those certain Senior Status Judges in

2

violation of the statutorily limited maximum salary for such Judges, which overpayment is a

3

violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §51-2-13 and W.Va. Code §51-9-10; her authorization

4

of such overpayments was a violation of the clear statutory law of the state of West Virginia, as

5

set forth in those relevant Code sections, and, was an act in potential violation of the provisions

6

set forth in W.Va. Code §61-3-22, relating to the crime of falsification of accounts with intent to

7

enable or assist any person to obtain money to which he was not entitled, and in potential violation

8

of the provisions of W.Va. Code §5-10-45, relating to the crime of fraud against the West Virginia

9

Public Employees Retirement System, and, in potential violation of the provisions set forth in

10

W.Va. Code §61-3-24, relating to the crime of obtaining money, property and services by false

11

pretenses, and all of the above are in violation of the provisions of Canon I and Canon II of the

12

West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.

Article XIII
13

That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

14

West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

15

support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his

16

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

17

his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, made

18

statements while under oath before the West Virginia House of Delegates Finance Committee,

19

with deliberate intent to deceive, regarding renovations and purchases for his office, asserting

20

that he had no knowledge and involvement in these renovations, where evidence presented

21

clearly demonstrated his in-depth knowledge and participation in those renovations, and, his

22

intentional efforts to deceive members of the Legislature about his participation and knowledge

23

of these acts, while under oath.

12

 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
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Article XIV
1

That the said Justice Allen Loughry, being a Justice of the Supreme Court of Appeals of

2

West Virginia, unmindful of the duties of his high office, and contrary to the oaths taken by him to

3

support the Constitution of the State of West Virginia and faithfully discharge the duties of his

4

office as such Justice, while in the exercise of the functions of the office of Justice, in violation of

5

his oath of office, then and there, with regard to the discharge of the duties of his office, direct that

6

personal pictures and items be placed in customized picture frames and be paid for by state

7

monies, and these items were subsequently removed from his state office and converted to his

8

personal use and benefit, which acts constitute the use of state resources and property for

9

personal gain in violation of the provisions of W.Va. Code §6B-2-5.

10

WHEREFORE, the said Chief Justice Margaret Workman, Justice Allen Loughry, Justice

11

Robin Davis, and Justice Elizabeth Walker, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West

12

Virginia, failed to discharge the duties of their offices, and were and are guilty of maladministration,

13

corruption, incompetency, neglect of duty, and certain high crimes and misdemeanors.

14

And the House of Delegates of West Virginia, saving to themselves the liberty and rights

15

of exhibiting at any time hereafter any further Articles of Impeachment against the said Chief

16

Justice Margaret Workman, Justice Allen Loughry, Justice Robin Davis, and Justice Elizabeth

17

Walker, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, individually and collectively,

18

as aforesaid, and also of replying to their answers which they may make unto the Articles herein

19

proffered against them, and of offering proof to any all of the Articles herein contained, and every

20

part thereof, and to all an every other Article, accusation, or impeachment, which shall be

21

exhibited by the said House of Delegates as the case may require, do demand that the said Chief

22

Justice Margaret Workman, Justice Allen Loughry, Justice Robin Davis, and Justice Elizabeth

23

Walker, Justices of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, individually and collectively,
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 As Adopted by Judiciary Committee, Aug. 7
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1

as aforesaid, may be put to answer the of maladministration, corruption, incompetency, neglect

2

of duty, and certain high crimes and misdemeanors herein charged against them, and that such

3

proceedings, examinations, trials, and judgments, may be thereupon had, given and taken, as

4

may be agreeable to the Constitution and the laws of the State of West Virginia, and as justice

5

may require.

6

We, John Overington, Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Delegates of West Virginia,

7

and Stephen J. Harrison, Clerk thereof, do certify that the above and foregoing Articles of

8

Impeachment proffered by said House of Delegates against Chief Justice Margaret Workman,

9

Justice Allen Loughry, Justice Robin Davis, and Justice Elizabeth Walker, Justices of the

10

Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, individually and collectively, as aforesaid, were

11

adopted by the House of Delegates on the ---- day of ------------2018.

12
13

In Testimony Whereof, we have signed our names hereunto, this the ---- day of -----------2018.

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