Update WV State police scandal

The West Virginia State Police are in the middle of a scandal involving serious allegations of misconduct, including a hidden camera being placed in a women’s changing room. Governor Jim Justice has accepted the resignation of State Police Superintendent Jan Cahill and appointed Jack Chambers as interim superintendent. Chambers will conduct a thorough investigation to replace the investigation that began last month under Cahill, who had been the state police superintendent since 2017. The allegations include fighting and extramarital affairs, senior officials engaging in inappropriate behavior in state offices, and using ghost accounts to exploit state funds for personal transactions. Justice said the “biggest allegation” was a state trooper hiding a video camera in a women’s changing room. The investigation has raised serious concerns about the culture within the organization and its ability to serve and protect the people of West Virginia. The governor’s call for accountability and transparency in the investigation has been echoed by many across the state, including civil rights activists and community leaders. The outcome of the investigation will have far-reaching consequences not just for the West Virginia State Police but for law enforcement agencies across the country, highlighting the need for greater accountability, transparency, and cultural change within the police force.

A West Virginia police officer is under investigation for allegedly stealing money from a soldier, according to an anonymous letter received by the state’s Department of Homeland Security. The accusation stems from an incident in May 2021, where the writer claims to have seen someone designated by Major General Jan Cahill stealing money from a man at the Mardi Gras Casino in Cross Lanes, which the West Virginia State Police allegedly covered up.

There have been no charges filed in the case, and 13 News did not name the captain. The letter also alleges serious wrongdoing among the state agency’s top leaders. Cahill and the Justice Department have confirmed that Cahill retired.

An internal investigation was also conducted into another soldier who was assigned to oversee the state’s lottery system and should have known about the incident at the time. The retirement of several high-ranking officials is causing a strong backlash, as the agency’s top leadership is being questioned by another anonymous letter alleging 18 serious misconducts common among the top leaders of the agency.

Cahill, who was disappointed that the allegations were not brought to his attention sooner, denied being advised on how to proceed and refuted claims that he was advised to fire the soldiers involved. He said that the West Virginia State Law requires an investigation and directed 13 News to 81-CSR10 for the process and guidelines for such cases. Cahill also stated that he has not seen the final investigative report and believes that the soldiers should be held to a higher standard.

However, he could not confirm which department the soldier currently works for, but said that those who work with him want him to continue. Cahill believes that the soldier was transferred to a desk job because he handled the situation similarly to how Mardi Gras handled similar incidents.

Cahill explained that Garrity statements can be used as part of an internal investigation, but not against a person as part of a criminal proceeding. The statements would include a lie detector test.

The soldier accused of the theft at Mardi Gras, where the money was stolen, is a high-ranking officer who retired at the center of the accusation. Cahill and the Justice Department spokesperson did not confirm how much money was involved in the investigation.

Justice has begun releasing the first details of the West Virginia state police scandal. Governor Jim Justice revealed the details of the scandal during a press conference on Monday. The charges include one state trooper placing a video camera in the women’s locker room and another taking cash from the casino. The investigation will also look into a highway fatality and financial misconduct by senior managers in the state police. However, details are yet to be fully released and the investigation is still ongoing. The release of the first findings is an initial step in restoring public trust in West Virginia state police and requires transparency and accountability from senior management.