Massey in New Recusal Dispute
Massey Energy Co., on the losing end of the U.S. Supreme Court�s recent Caperton v. Massey decision, is at the heart of a new bid for a West Virginia judge to step down from hearing a case on grounds of an appearance of impropriety.
Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury of Mingo County, overseeing a major pollution lawsuit against Massey, is accused of failing to disclose a friendship with the company’s chief executive and of appointing a personal business partner as administrator of a medical monitoring fund, according to reports in the Charleston Gazette and the Associated Press
Kevin Thompson, a lawyer for hundreds of area residents, contended in court papers the situation amounted to “cronyism at its worst.”
Judge Thornsbury told the Charleston Gazette the allegations were unfounded and that he was not friends with Massey CEO Don Blankenship.
West Virginia judicial ethics has been getting attention around the nation. The high court was asked in Caperton whether a judge could be forced to step aside from cases involving major financial backers. In its landmark decision last month, the high court said that West Virginia Chief Justice Brent Benjamin was�constitutionally obligated�to recuse, because� Blankenship had spent $3 million to help elect him while appealing a case to overturn a $50 million jury award.
The latest recusal request reflects how ties between Blankenship and jurists continue to spark controversy. State Supreme Court Justice Elliott Maynard lost a primary in May after he was photographed on the French Riviera with� Blankenship.
In a related development, Massey has agreed to drop a lawsuit challenging West Virginia�s recusal law as unconstitutional, according to a Charleston Gazette news story.
The close relationships between Don Blankenship and West Virginia Supreme Court justices has been well-chronicled on Gavel Grab.
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This Judicial Favoritism occures even in the the Lower” Courts” in my case a “New to the Bench” Judge James A. Farber from the Well Connected “DeCottis LaW Firm”, Was given a Judicial appointment to the Sussex County,,,Superior Court located in Newton, New Jersey ..
Judge Jamas A. Farber being well know for his exclusivly favoring of Female Litigantsin his Court, Judge Farber went ahead and Illegally 0verturned 4 previous more experienced Judges with Decades more experience on the Bench.To favor many a Female Litigant that was also a Court Clerk in Sussex County..I have tried to bring this to the Attention of Govenor Jon Corzine and Court Administrators Judge Phil Cartchman on Judge Bozonellis and Others..to no Avail….
Talk about Corruption it is here in New Jersey and was evidenced recently by Major Arrests of Politicians..Perhaps Judge Also should be investigated to weed out the Bad Judges..But for Political reasons it may
not Happen. Even the State Judiciarry Committee Chair Treats Judicial complains with Disdain..Thank you very much Corrupt Political Bully Senator Mr. John Adler now elevated to Congressman from New Jersey..Newark Office F.B.I. Special Agent Mr. Wes Dunn turned deaf Ears to my complaints of Judicial Corruption.
I have to say Judge Farber’s reputation proceeds him in that he picks one of the people to go against and one not to. In my case I am FEMALE and HE has made the WORST decisions in the world. He seems to have no perception or intelligence. He has given my 15 yr old son to an ex-convict that still smokes pot.Who abused me mentally, emotionally and even physically a few times. He stripped me of child support and is making me pay child support when in 22 years I never supported the family. Favor females – I don’t think so, I am an attractive one and he HATES ME! He will not let me discover the hidden assets my husband has so now I will be left with NOTHING. He has been a judge here since 2001. Many have told me he was a bastard, but I NEVER thought for one moment that he would favor the bully and not the victim! I can’t relate to your story and if I had money for a lawyer I would get one – basically I am screwed and still in the middle of this case. I tried to adjourn and withdraw my petition for divorce because I am getting such a RAW deal and Judge Farber DENIED me! Can you believe that? I could go on and on with the discrepancies from this judge, all I have to say he has NOT favored me in the least and he damn well should have! The only reputation I know of is he is always a bastard to one of the sides!! In this case its the WRONG SIDE!!