CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A hearing for the petition of the removal of Charleston Mayor Danny Jones is expected to begin Monday at the Kanawha County Courthouse.
The three-judge panel, headed by Cabell County Judge Paul Farrell, was filed the same day that Jones was sworn in for a record fourth four-year term by Janet “JT” Thompson.
Thompson ran against Jones in the most recent election.
Only 25 signatures are needed to file such a petition. After that requirement is met, the State Supreme Court can appoint a three-judge panel.
The petition accuses Jones of “official misconduct in office, malfeasance in office, and gross immorality” and claims that he “neglected his duties as mayor and he himself, and is an incompetent person.”
Judge Darrell Pratt of Wayne County and Judge Phillip Stowers of Putnam County round out the trio of judges.