Former Clarksburg mayor, vice mayor fined by West Virginia Ethics Commission

CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) — Two former City of Clarksburg leaders have been fined by the West Virginia Ethics Commission for participating in votes regarding their own terms in office .

During its meeting on Nov. 7, the West Virginia Ethics Commission released the final decision and order in the cases of former Clarksburg mayor James Marino and former Clarksburg vice mayor Lillie Junkins .

The orders say that "there was clear and convincing evidence" against both Marino and Junkins, and they were both given a "Public Reprimand" and ordered to pay a $200 fee and hearing costs, a total of $2,396.12 each, and to attend a training on the West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act.

The seven charges against each of them were related to voting between January of 2021 and February of 2023 on ordinances relating to changing election dates that would have extending their terms as mayor and vice mayor.

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The charges were brought against them in June of 2023 , and the was evidence presented at a hearing on April 9, 2024.

Former council member Gary Keith was also charged for voting on the same ordinances, but he reached a conciliation with the West Virginia Ethics Committee in September of 2023 and agreed to attend West Virginia Governmental Ethics Act training and pay a $1,000 fee.