CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Ethics Commission has issued a public reprimand as part of a settlement agreement of an ethics complaint filed against Randall W. Lengyel, former Executive Director of the Boone County Ambulance Authority.
The Commission found that Lengyel had violated the West Virginia Ethics Act by using his public position for his private gain. Lengyel had requested and obtained approval from the Authority’s Board of Directors for a $103,000 personal, interest-free loan to enable him to transfer his retirement participation from the Public Employees Retirement System to the more lucrative Emergency Medical Services Retirement System.
In addition to the public reprimand, Lengyel’s Conciliation Agreement with the Commission requires him to pay a $5,000 fine and to undergo training on the Ethics Act.
Lengyel repaid the loan in October 2015 after Boone County Prosecuting Attorney D. Keith Randolph requested repayment and subsequently filed a civil action to require the repayment.
The Conciliation Agreement may be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.ethics.wv.gov.