CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Delegate Andrew Robinson, D-Kanawha, said lawmakers are “dragging their feet” regarding the impeachment proceedings involving state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry.
The House Judiciary Committee is adjourned until July 9 at the earliest as evidence against Loughry is being reviewed regarding office spending and use of state vehicle.
Loughry faces 22 criminal charges in connection with allegations of mail fraud, wire fraud, tampering with a witness and lying to federal agents. The state Judicial Investigation Commission filed a statement of charges last month claiming Loughry broke the Judicial Code of Conduct 32 times.
Robinson said some committee members want to look at all justices even though the issue is only with Loughry.
“We are dragging our feet so that we can make it partisan and I think that is the big issue,” he said on “580 Live” last week.
Democrats want related work to be done by Aug. 14 to allow the public to vote on the seat in November. A person would otherwise be appointed to the seat.
Robinson said the best action would be for Loughry to step down from the Supreme Court.
“I believe that’s what we’ve been waiting on in the coming months,” he said. “We’re going to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars working on impeachment proceedings when we can solve the issue with one man taking account of what’s happened.”
The Judicial Hearing Board of West Virginia issued a stay Monday on the Judicial Disciplinary Counsel’s proceedings against Loughry.