Attorney General Darrell McGraw’s abusive spending practices have taken center stage once again. Appearing before the Senate Finance Committee last week, McGraw had to defend his office’s structuring of a recent $11.6 million lawsuit settlement. McGraw tries to claim that the suit is good for West Virginia citizens, but state Legislators claim that McGraw is usurping their power by misappropriating state funds.
Lost in the media coverage is the fact that McGraw once again appointed campaign contributors, this time Teresa Toriseva and Guy Bucci, to do his dirty work. If their retention agreements are anything like those of past “special assistant attorneys general,” expect the trial lawyers to receive a couple million in legal fees.
Check out what some local media outlets have been saying of McGraw’s latest lawsuit boondoggle.
“McGraw Snubs Legislators Again”
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January 22nd, 2008 at 12:24 pm - Edit
Why has the Legislature not appealed to the Supreme Court for a ruling on McGraw’s accepting settlements and parsing out the proceeds without Legislative approval? Why has Judge Irene Berger’s ruling that the AG may not hire outside counsel on a contingency basis not been followed? Why have McGraw’s clients, the DHHR, PEIA, and Employment Bureau not received the proceeds of the Purdue Pharma settlement in contravention of the Code of Ethics? Why is this sorry situation allowed to continue?
January 23rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm - Edit
While I understand that Justice McGraw is an elected official, could someone explain to me who it is that would arrest him for violating state law?
It has been commented on our website that he has ’snubbed the legislators again’. Is McGraw the King of WV? Is our law in WV applicable to all justly and fairly?
If he is in violation of any laws, it seems to me that he is accountable in an equal way that any other citizen is liable.
So, please can someone tell me the exact statute that McGraw has violated?
At the same time, can you tell me the penalty for violation of said law?
Lest my questions be unfairly judged, let me say that I am also in favor of, and pray for justice to be practiced in high places with the same fervor as they are on my local streets.