West Virginia
Ex-manager for West Virginia disaster recovery group sentenced to more than 3 years for theft
A former finance manager of a nonprofit organization that assists West Virginia disaster victims was sentenced Thursday to more than three years in prison for the theft of $871,000 from the group.
Benjamin Cisco, 31, of Charleston was sentenced in federal court for his May 2023 guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud. He was ordered to pay full restitution.
Cisco was a finance and operations manager for the state chapter of the Arlington, Virginia-based Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, or VOAD.
Court records showed Cisco transferred money from the nonprofit’s accounts more than 100 times for his personal use and claimed travel reimbursements he wasn’t authorized to receive.
U.S. Attorney Will Thompson said Cisco’s actions “personified greed.” Thompson said Cisco used the charity’s money on vacations to Disney World, gift cards to home improvement stores and household items.
Among its work, VOAD’s state chapter was heavily involved in rebuilding bridges and homes after the 2016 floods decimated parts of the state and left 23 people dead.
State lawmakers recently requested an audit of the group, which has received more than $27 million in funding since 2016.
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West Virginia
Second-annual Rhododendron Roll brings thousands to West Virginia State Capitol
West Virginia
No Kings protests draw crowds nationwide, including in Wheeling, West Virginia
OHIO COUNTY, WV — Protesters lined Kruger Street and National Road in Wheeling on Saturday as part of “No Kings” demonstrations held across the country.
People were already packed along the streets before the protest began at 11:30 as participants cited rising gas prices and the controversial Iran war. Protesters chanted and voiced their opinions during the event.
Teddie Grogan said the group gathered to push back against what they see as undemocratic leadership and unnecessary conflict. “We’re here today to protest the fact that we want our country we want it run as a democracy we don’t want wars that are somebodys choice and not a necessity,” Grogan said.
Former U.S. military member Cody Cumpston also criticized the current administration and said he is frustrated by the cost of living and the direction of the country. “I’m here today because of the current administration we’re in a new war we didn’t need to be in prices are still skyrocketing I’m just tired of it I feel like they’ve forgotten all about us and they keep forgetting about us,” Cumpston said.
Another protester, April Pascoli, said she believes many people are not aware of what the administration is doing internationally and at home. “If I don’t go to work one day and I ask people do you know what’s happening in this country? And somebody says, we’re at war right now? Really? People my age don’t even know that we have troops on the ground, that they are bombing. Bombing our bases in the middle east. Do you know that, do you realize that?” Pascoli said.
West Virginia
Morrisey: Growth of Alcon in Cabell County is evidence of good times ahead for WV
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