CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Ethics Commission issued a Final Decision and Order on November 3, 2016, in an ethics complaint initiated by the Commission against Eugene R. Thorn, a former Wildlife Biologist at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek.
The Commission found that Thorn violated the West Virginia Ethics Act’s contract provisions because his wife, Sandra Thorn, loaned $5,000 from their joint checking account to Ulrika Browning, who used the money for a surety bond on a contract to operate the Center’s gift shop. The Commission also found that Eugene Thorn violated the Ethics Act’s prohibition against a public employee using his position for his and his wife’s private gain by requiring Ms. Browning to immediately repay the $5,000 loan with 18 percent interest and fees.
A public hearing on the charges against Eugene Thorn had been held on July 18, 2016, in Charleston before a hearing examiner. The Commission’s sanctions against Thorn include a public reprimand; a fine of $5,000 and reimbursement to the Commission in the amount of $2,362.92 for the costs of prosecuting his violations. He also was ordered to undergo Ethics Act training before holding a public service position or public employment in the future.
The Final Decision and Order may be viewed on the Commission’s website at http://www.ethics.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx.