CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Ethics Commission issued
a Final Decision and Order against former Ravenswood Mayor J. Michael Ihle,
which orders him to pay a $536.77 fine and to reimburse the Commission
$2,076.50 for the costs of prosecuting his
violation of the Ethics Act.
The Commission found that
Ihle had used his office as Mayor for his private gain by using a City-owned
cellular phone during his campaign for the West Virginia House of Delegates in
2014. The cost of the cellular plan during the time Ihle was found to have used
it for his campaign was $536.77.
In addition to the fine and
the reimbursement, the Commission also issued a public reprimand against Ihle
and ordered that he complete training on the Ethics Act before holding a public
service position or employment in the future.
The Final Decision and Order may be
viewed on the Commission’s website at www.ethics.wv.gov.