Cocktails & Popcorn: Impeachment Recipe For Removal From Office For Stealin'

750-ml. bottle white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc

sweet tea

1/4 c. 

triple sec

2 c. 

sliced frozen peaches

raspberries

Fresh mint, for garnish

It seems we have ourselves an impeachment model being executed.

This elected official impeachment model was constructed by mixing the right ingredients of federal jurisdiction and the state constitution, with a sprig of resignation.

It started in Detroit.

A peachy delight!

Special session canceled after West Virginia justice resigns

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The resignation of a West Virginia Supreme Court justice recently convicted of federal charges prompted the governor Sunday to cancel a special legislative session that was to consider the justice's removal.

It was the latest development in an impeachment scandal miring some past and present justices in varying accusations including abuse of authority and failure to rein in excessive spending that engulfed the state's highest court for months.

Republican Gov. Jim Juestice's office said late Saturday he received a letter from Justice Allen Loughry and accepted his resignation effective at the close of business Monday. Justice had no further comment and Loughry's one-sentence resignation letter didn't elaborate.

Loughry was convicted last month of federal criminal charges including wire fraud involving his personal use of state cars and fuel cards and mail fraud. He has requested a new trial.

Last week Justice had called the special session for Tuesday, saying in a proclamation that it would consider removing Loughry from his post. Another proclamation Sunday canceled the special session in light of Loughry's resignation.

Loughry couldn't be reached for comment. His attorney, John A. Carr, said in an email he would have no comment.

Loughry and three other justices were impeached by the West Virginia House in August over questions involving lavish office renovations that evolved into varying accusations of corruption, incompetence and neglect of duty. One of them, Justice Beth Walker, was cleared of an impeachment charge at a Senate trial last month.

The West Virginia Supreme Court last month effectively halted the Legislature's remaining efforts to impeach the state's justices as a violation of the separate of power doctrine. The court ruled that the Senate lacks jurisdiction to pursue its impeachment trial of Justice Margaret Workman.

The Senate had postponed Workman's trial after the presiding judge didn't show up following the court ruling. A panel of acting justices said the court's decision to stop Workman's impeachment hearing also applies to retired Justice Robin Davis and Loughry, who had petitioned the court to intervene.

Senate President Mitch Carmichael, a Republican, lauded the resignation announcement Saturday.

"We appreciate that Justice Loughry has decided to do the right thing and step down from the Court," Carmichael said in a statement.

Judicial elections in West Virginia became nonpartisan in 2016, but the court's impeachment scandal this year stirred political attacks. Some Democrats argued that the court's shakeup over spending and other issues was a power grab by the Republican-led legislature.

On Election Day, two state Supreme Court justices appointed to the court after the scandal broke won election to continue on the bench: Former House speaker Tim Armstead and ex-Congressman Evan Jenkins won those races Tuesday night, each defeating nine other candidates. They had originally been appointed by Justice to fill two of the seats on the state's highest court pending the midterm election.

Armstead will complete the term of Justice Menis Ketchum, who announced his resignation on the eve of the House's impeachment proceedings. The term runs through 2020.

Jenkins will serve until 2024, when the term of retired Justice Robin Davis ends. Davis also was impeached.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©

Cocktails & Popcorn: Can A Supreme Court Justice Be Impeached By House Judiciary?

John Roberts, my new best friend

Well, in the State of West Virginia you can!

It also seems that I am not the only one who is whispering about the constitutional powers House Judiciary, because similar legal sentiments are being expressed throughout the States when it comes to impeaching Supreme Court Justices.

I strongly encourage everyone to stock up on popcorn, lots of it, because I believe there just might be a plan, already in place, to impeach a certain Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court.

But hey, what do I know.

I also believe this is going to be soooooo romantic, but I shall tell that tale, after the Celestial Goddess is released from the Woodshed.

Stay tuned and buckle up.

House Judiciary Committee Adopts Articles of Impeachment Against All Four W.Va. Supreme Court Justices

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The House of Delegate Committee on the Judiciary today adopted 14 articles of impeachment alleging various counts of corruption, maladministration, incompetency, neglect of duty, and potential criminal behavior among the current four state Supreme Court justices.

The articles of impeachment against Chief Justice Margaret Workman and Justices Allen Loughry, Robin Davis and Elizabeth Walker will now go before the full House of Delegates for approval before the justices may face trial in the state Senate.

“This is truly a sad day for West Virginia, but it is an important step forward if we are going to restore the public’s confidence in the judiciary,” said Judiciary Committee Chairman John Shott, R-Mercer. “This committee did not take this effort lightly. After reviewing all the evidence available to us, it became clear that a culture of entitlement and disregard for both the law and taxpayer funds have damaged the reputation of our judicial system – and that all justices had a part in violating the public’s trust.”

The articles of impeachment contain accusations ranging from the creation of a potentially unlawful scheme to pay retired senior status judges more than the law would allow, wasteful spending of taxpayer funds on lavish office renovations, the use of public vehicles for personal gain, the illegal removal of historic property from the state Capitol, and the neglect of duty to create policies that prevent improper use of state resources and property.

Should the full House approve the various articles of impeachment, the accused justices would stand trial in the Senate. The state Constitution requires a two-thirds vote to remove them from office.

Following the committee’s approval of the articles, House Speaker Pro Tempore John Overington, R-Berkeley – who is presiding over these proceedings – issued a letter calling the full House of Delegates back into session at 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 13, to consider approval of the articles.

The approved articles of impeachment will be available on the Judiciary Committee’s website once they are edited and proofread to fully account for changes made during today’s meeting.

Here is a summary of the 16 articles considered today (14 were adopted, 2 were rejected):

1. Accusing Chief Justice Workman and Justice Davis of wrongfully approving the of overpayment of Senior Status Judges during their tenure as Chief Justice. 
2. Accusing Chief Justice Workman and Justices Loughry, Davis and Walker of failure to properly carry out the administrative duties of the court.
3. Accusing Justice Loughry of illegally possessing a historic "Cass Gilbert" desk at his private residence.
4. Accusing Justice Loughry of improperly using state government computer equipment and hardware for personal use at home.
5. Accusing Justice Loughry of using state vehicles and a fuel purchase card for personal use.
6. Accusing Justice Loughry of issuing an administrative order wrongfully approving the of overpayment of Senior Status Judges during his tenure as Chief Justice. 
7. Accusing Justice Loughry of wasteful spending with regard to office renovations.
8. Accusing Justice Walker of wasteful spending with regard to office renovations.
9. Accusing Justice Walker of wasteful spending by hiring outside counsel to craft a legal opinion of the court.  – REJECTED
10. Accusing Justice Davis of wasteful spending with regard to office renovations.
11. Accusing Justice Davis of signing forms to wrongfully approve the of overpayment of Senior Status Judges. 
12. Accusing Chief Justice Workman of wasteful spending with regard to office renovations.
13. Accusing Chief Justice Workman of unnecessarily hiring or retaining individuals who worked for her political campaigns to work for the court.– REJECTED
14. Accusing Chief Justice Workman of signing forms to wrongfully approve the of overpayment of Senior Status Judges. 
15. Accusing Justice Loughry of deceiving the House Finance Committee while under oath.
16. Accusing Justice Loughry of wasteful spending by using state funds for framing of personal items.

Voting is beautiful, be beautiful ~ vote.©