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Beverly council authorizes waiver so town attorney can represent mayor, water operator in Ethics Commission complaints
Summary
On Oct. 21 the Beverly Town Council unanimously approved a resolution authorizing the town recorder to execute a waiver allowing the town attorney to represent Mayor Andy Burns and Water Operator Cory Weese in two complaints filed with the West Virginia Ethics Commission (VCRB 2024-84 and VCRB 2024-83).
The Beverly Town Council voted Oct. 21 to authorize the town recorder to sign a waiver of conflict so the town's attorney may represent Mayor Andy Burns and Water Operator Cory Weese in complaints now pending before the West Virginia Ethics Commission. The complaints are recorded in the meeting materials as VCRB 2024-84 (against Mayor Burns) and VCRB 2024-83 (against Cory Weese). The council accepted the resolution on a motion by Councilman Kenny Pritt, seconded by Councilman Matt Lewis; the motion carried 'all in favor.'
The resolution, included in the meeting packet and entered into the record (see SEG 003), states the council was "fully apprised of the facts and allegations" and provides its "informed, written consent" to allow the law firm of Busch, Zurbuch & Thompson, PLLC to represent the mayor and water operator in those matters. Following passage of the resolution the council separately approved the Waiver of Conflicts document and recorded signatures (SEGs 004–005). The waiver indicates the town attorney will represent the two named town officials in the Ethics Commission matters and that Burns and Weese consent to the representation.
The resolution notes the complaints were filed by Cindy Karelis and also references a prior complaint to the West Virginia Secretary of State that the resolution says was "ultimately determined to lack merit." The council record shows no substantive deliberation in open session beyond the motions to adopt the resolution and to approve the waiver. The vote was recorded as unanimous with the council stating "all in favor" and the motion carrying.
The waiver and resolution direct the Recorder, Sheila Scott Strahin, to execute the signed document on behalf of the Town of Beverly. The meeting packet identifies Busch, Zurbuch & Thompson, PLLC and lists Robert C. Chenoweth, Esq., as the preparer of the waiver paperwork. The town did not, in open session, provide further detail about the substance of the complaints or about next procedural steps before the Ethics Commission.
