A three-judge panel in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle has ordered the removal of two county commissioners from office due to their deliberate neglect of duties by consistently skipping public meetings. Jefferson County Commissioners Jennifer Krouse and Tricia Jackson were found to have engaged in a pattern of conduct that amounted to a willful refusal to perform their responsibilities.
The decision to remove Krouse and Jackson came over a month after their arrest on 42 misdemeanor charges, including failure to perform official duties and conspiracy to commit a crime against the state. The petition for their removal was filed by the Jefferson County prosecutor's office in November, leading to a hearing before the three-judge panel in late March.
Despite the ruling, Jackson, who is also a Republican candidate for state auditor, expressed her intention to appeal the decision and continue her candidacy. She claimed that the election results had been overturned and vowed to challenge the decision at every step.
The charges against Krouse and Jackson stemmed from their absence at seven crucial meetings in late 2023, which disrupted the commission's ability to conduct essential business. This included the failure to fill 911 dispatch positions, approve grants for victim advocates, and authorize courthouse renovations, resulting in the loss of a $50,000 grant due to the commission's inability to approve expenses over $5,000.
Despite their absences, both commissioners continued to receive benefits and paychecks until a court order compelled them to return to their duties. The judges' decision to remove Krouse and Jackson underscores the importance of upholding public officials' accountability and commitment to serving their constituents.
