EKB News

In a nine page ruling by the State of West Virginia Office of Disciplinary Counsel reprimanded Mingo County Prosecuting Attorney Michael Sparks . The panel ruled that Sparks allowed subpoenas of financial records on then county commissioner Halcy Hatfield without his approval. The Disciplinary Counsel added formal discipline of Sparks is not appropriate under the circumstances. Back in 2005 Sparks and Sheriff Lonnie Hannah began investigating how federal flood recovery money was spent following county flooding in 2004. The investigation to this day has not produced evidence of wrong doing. Sparks told EKB news last year that that as soon as he was aware that the subpoenas were issued he stopped it. According to the complaint Sheriff Hannah was given the permission to act on the subpoenas without the prosecutors’ knowledge. Hatfield’s Attorney Mike Clifford says that he is concerned about his clients’ rights and that civil action could follow.