Fouty to Pay $6,300, Name Removed from Ballot - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

WTRF.com UPDATE

Former Kanawha County Magistrate Carol Fouty has agreed to pay back more than $6,300 and take her name off of the November ballot.

With the election being so close, it is uncertain whether or not Fouty's name can be taken off the ballot in time. In that instance, the votes for her will not be counted.

Fouty was suspended in April after being accused of ethical misconduct. The allegations are that she wrongly dismissed a citation and reduced bails in criminal cases.

In letters to state and county officials Fouty says she is stepping down for health concerns. Not because of the ethics investigation.

Supreme Court Administrative Director, Steve Canterbury says Fouty may not have resigned.

"I believe there's' a little saving face in the works," he said. "She would have not resigned if there had not been a settlement agreement in the works."

Fouty will continue to receive retirement checks from the county, about $1,600 per month. A final decision on the agreement is expected by the end of the week.

WTRF.com UPDATE

The West Virginia Supreme Court is considering whether a Kanawha County magistrate suspended after being accused of ethical misconduct should remain suspended without pay.

The state's high court held a hearing Wednesday in the case of Carol Fouty. She was suspended in April while judicial officials consider allegations that she accepted favors in exchange for dropped charges. The court's Judicial Hearing Board has set an Aug. 8 hearing on the allegations.

Fouty's attorney on Wednesday argued that she should be allowed to go back to work pending the outcome of those proceedings. But a lawyer for the state says the allegations against Fouty are serious enough to warrant being suspended without pay.

The court is expected to rule on the suspension within two weeks.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

ORIGINAL STORY

West Virginia's Supreme Court will consider whether a county magistrate accused of ethics violations should remain suspended without pay.

The justices agreed to hear arguments June 6 after Kanawha Magistrate Carol Fouty challenged their April suspension order.

Fouty is also denying the underlying ethics charges. They include allegations that she wrongly dismissed a citation and reduced bails in criminal cases.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)