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 former Barbour County Sheriff John W. Hawkins.
The Commission found that Hawkins had violated the West Virginia Ethics Act by using his public position for his private gain. In addition to the public reprimand, his Conciliation Agreement with the Commission requires him to pay a $1,000 fine and to undergo training on the Ethics Act.
Hawkins admitted that during his tenure as Sheriff he took $190 in cash from monies collected by the Sheriff’s Office for copying fees from the public.
Hawkins later repaid the money to the Sheriff’s Office. Hawkins resigned his position in early 2014.
The Conciliation Agreement may be viewed on the Commission’s website at www.ethics.wv.gov.