The West Virginia Judicial Investigation Commission has charged a Randolph County circuit court judge with violating the code of judicial conduct in connection to an alleged affair with a former community corrections director for the county.
The commission cited Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong for violating four canons of the code of conduct including upholding the integrity and independence of the judiciary, avoiding impropriety and the appearance of impropriety, perform duties of the judicial office impartially and diligently, and conducting extra-judicial activities as to minimize the risk of conflict with judicial obligations.
The Judicial Hearing Board said it received five complaints regarding Wilfong's affair with former community corrections director William Travis Carter, including a self-report complaint from Wilfong herself. Wilfong contacted the Judicial Investigation Commission on Oct. 14, 2013 about a romantic and sexual relationship between her and Carter, which spanned the previous two years. Carter resigned as the Community Corrections Director in Dec. 2013. Other people who filed complaints about Wilfong's conduct include Wilfong's office staff and attorneys who work within the county.
"My relationship with William Travis Carter did not affect my work as a judge. I did my job and I continue to do my job. The Statement of Charges does not allege that my work on the bench was compromised by the relationship; it alleges that the appearance of the judicial system and its integrity were harmed and I admit that," said Wilfong in a formal response to the charges.
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Charges Filed Against Randolph County Judge in Reported Affair with Former Community Corrections Director