WKKX EDITORIAL NO. 128

(Subpoenas - WV Dept of Administration and DOH)

Last week two subpoenas for a federal criminal investigation were served upon West Virginia’s Department of Administration and Department of Highways. The nature of the requested records and documents has not been revealed to the public.

As in many criminal investigations, documents are first obtained before targets of the investigation are identified.

Two prosecutors from the United States Department of Justice have authorized these subpoenas, which are directed at our highest office in the State and Governor Manchin’s Department of Administration. The lawyers overseeing this criminal investigation are members of the Public Integrity Section of the prosecutor’s office who concentrate on prosecuting elected and appointed public officials at all levels of government in order to combat corruption. 2

Although these subpoenas did not name the targets of the investigation, Governor Manchin and his former Chief of Staff, Larry Puccio, oversaw and directed these Departments.

Hopefully before the upcoming November election the investigation can provide answers to what involvement, if any, Manchin and Puccio had.

Based on the involvement of the Public Integrity Section, things don’t look good for Manchin and Puccio, who at a minimum oversaw these departments.

A conviction of criminal wrongdoing was recently obtained in a matter involving contracts for renovations at the Governor’s Mansion, and it is believed that the convicted criminal will now provide evidence to the United States prosecutors.

Unfortunately for West Virginia, we will probably have a candidate for the U.S. Senate on the ballot without knowing his involvement, if any, in the public corruption being investigated by a federal grand jury. 3

If Manchin expects votes, he should turn over to all media sources all documents and records subpoenaed, together with a full explanation of the investigation and his and/his staff’s involvement, if any.

The public has a right to know this information, and Manchin cannot hide through silence facts which relate to potential crimes committed by our public officials. All media sources and the public must demand full answers and full accountability.