EXTRAORDINARY

West Virginia Lawmakers Impeach All State Supreme Court Justices

Over accusations of extravagant spending.

West Virginia lawmakers have impeached all four justices on the state’s Supreme Court of Appeals. They’re accused of lavish spending—including more than $1 million in renovations to their individual offices—and failing to develop rules for working lunches and the personal use of state vehicles and office computers. Justices Allen Loughry, Elizabeth Walker, Robin Davis, and Margaret Workman were all deemed to have abused their authority. Loughry also faces 23 federal counts of fraud, witness tampering, lying to a federal agent, and obstruction of justice. If convicted, he could be sentenced to more than 400 years in prison and fined as much as $5.75 million—he pleaded not guilty and was suspended without pay in June. The charges for the four justices now go to trial in the state senate, where a two-thirds vote is required for conviction. Republicans control 22 of 34 seats in the chamber.