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WSAZ Investigates | Hidden Camera Spurs Potential Lawsuits

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WSAZ Investigates | Hidden Camera Spurs Potential Lawsuits


CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – No less than eight ladies are making ready to file go well with in opposition to the state of West Virginia, their claims associated to a hidden digicam system in a ladies’s locker room on the State Police Academy in Institute.

The hidden digicam is only one in a sequence of allegations of wrongdoing in opposition to high-ranking members of the West Virginia State Police.

The allegations are made in two nameless letters — each obtained by WSAZ and despatched to state officers final month.

One letter said a trooper, who has since died, constructed the hidden digicam system and the recordings from the system have been later discovered on a thumb drive and destroyed.

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Teresa Toriseva, an legal professional who works out of Wheeling, West Virginia, instructed WSAZ NewsChannel 3′s Curtis Johnson that she represents two retired state troopers and one civilian member of the family, all of whom declare they used the locker room and declare their proper to privateness was violated.

“How have been they affected by this?” Johnson requested Toriseva.

“Their primary worry is retaliation,” she replied. “They’re in worry of who taped me doing what within the non-public confines of a lady’s locker room. They’re in worry for his or her bodily security. They’re in worry for — are there photos of me on the Web nude?”

Toriseva and her three purchasers notified the state about their intent to file go well with. Their discover is one among three separate notices acquired in current weeks by the state Lawyer Basic’s workplace. In all, no less than eight ladies are making ready to go to courtroom.

In the meantime, Republican Gov. Jim Justice and his interim head of the State Police, Col. Jack Chambers, issued an apology final week, “to any feminine who was victimized by the hidden digicam within the State Police Coaching Academy locker room.”

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Johnson requested the governor about that apology Tuesday.

“Do you guys have cause now to imagine that there are a number of ladies on that digicam?” Johnson requested.

“I don’t have any cause to imagine that, besides that is simply what I believe,” Justice replied. “You realize, simply how a lot sense does it actually make to suppose that there was a hidden digicam? There was just one thumb drive, there was just one particular person.

“You realize, why on this planet, wouldn’t we surprise who all else might have been concerned? Who all else might have been filmed? Who all else might have been invaded? I imply, to me, it’s the final word insult to ladies,” he added.

WSAZ has been asking that query for weeks.

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The governor’s response has been a lot completely different than that of his former head of the State Police, Jan Cahill, in early March.

“When have been you made conscious of it?” Johnson requested March 10.

“Late 2020,” Cahill replied.

“Was all people that was in these movies notified?” Johnson requested.

“There was just one particular person,” Cahill replied. “That letter that you just’re holding, I believe mentioned there was tens of hours of footage and 10 folks. We have been by no means instructed, however only one particular person.”

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Cahill held agency on that reply when Johnson requested once more after his resignation.

“You preserve, just one particular person was on that video?” Johnson requested March 21. “Is that correct?”

“That’s correct,” Cahill replied. “It’s what was reported to me in late 2020. One particular person. One occasion. One, I suppose you’ll name it, thumb file.”

“And to someone who would say there’s a number of ladies on that video, what would you say,” Johnson adopted.

“I’d say, that’s not what was ever reported to me,” Cahill replied.

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However Toriseva says her purchasers have questions, and so does the governor.

“What’s your response to these lawsuits?” Johnson requested Justice.

“Can’t blame them,” Justice replied Tuesday. “That’s my response wholeheartedly. I imply, you realize, if I had been a feminine, and I had been in there, and I knew now that there was a hidden digicam, I’d be mad, I’d actually query what was happening. Can’t blame them.”

“Are you able to inform us something the timeline for when that digicam was arrange?” Johnson requested.

“I can let you know what I believe I do know,” Justice mentioned. “I believe I do know 2015. I’m not — none of us, I suppose will ever actually know, however an investigation is warranted and possibly we’ll get extra info from that.”

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“Have you learnt if the digicam was eliminated when the particular person died?” Johnson requested.

“I don’t know that,” Justice replied. “I don’t know that.”

Investigating the hidden digicam system now falls to Cahill’s substitute, Chambers. He was second-highest rating trooper at State Police when he retired in late 2015, then taking a task with the State Capitol Police simply days into 2016.

However with the alleged perpetrator deceased and the thumb drive destroyed, Johnson wished to know what the folks of West Virginia might count on.

“What might be completed to make progress in that investigation?” Johnson requested. “What ought to folks search for as potentialities of what you are able to do at this level?”

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“Once more, in the event that they’re saying ‘16, they’re backing up in to ‘15, I’m unsure they will, anyone may even present when the digicam was in there,” Chambers replied throughout a March 22 press convention. “I imply, Lord, I had no data of it in ‘15 once I was there and I used to be on the Academy each morning understanding at six o’clock.”

“It’s eight years now, about seven or eight years now, so the one factor you are able to do is look into it and refer it, if you’ll, if it’s nonetheless within the statute of limitations or if it’s not,” Chambers added.

Justice mentioned Tuesday that disciplinary motion remains to be doable in opposition to who destroyed the onerous drive.

Toriseva hopes a lawsuit will deliver definitive solutions.

“What’s your hope to your purchasers on this?” Johnson requested Toriseva.

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“That we create a greater surroundings for feminine cops who’ve to coach on the West Virginia State Police Academy,” she replied. “Two, that that is uncovered absolutely and that everyone accountable reply for that.”

In West Virginia, its a requirement to inform the state 30 days forward of submitting a lawsuit in opposition to any state company. As soon as that point has handed, the precise lawsuits might be filed.



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West Virginia

West Virginia Wraps up Nonconference Slate with a Win Over Mercyhurst

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West Virginia Wraps up Nonconference Slate with a Win Over Mercyhurst


Morgantown, WV – West Virginia senior guard Javon Small scored a game-high 19 points while senior center Eduardo Andre put in a Mountaineer career-best 14 points and senior guard Tobi Okani recorded a double double with 13 points and 12 rebounds as the Mountaineers (9-2) extended their winning streak to five with a 67-4 win over the Mercyhurst Lakers (6-9) Sunday afternoon.

Mercyhurst took the early lead, but West Virginia responded with a 7-0 run, ignited with a three from freshman guard Jonathan Powell, and forced Lakers head coach Gary Manchel to take a timeout.

Lakers senior forward Jeff Planutis buried a three out of the break to get back within two. The Mountaineers answered with another 7-0 run with Javon Small opening the run with a midrange jumper and Toby Okani finishing with a backdoor to cut to the rim to cap it off for the 16-7 lead at the 12:27 mark of the first half.

West Virginia struggled to pull away from a Mercyhurst program that jumped up to the Division I level over the summer and did not grab a double-digit lead until 5:50 left in the half after a jumper from senior guard Joseph Yesufu.

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Eduardo Andre gave the Mountaineers their largest first half lead of 14, and the final field goal of the half, for his nine first half points with 3:32 remaining until halftime as the Mountaineers took a 35-22 lead into the break.

After West Virginia went up 16 to begin the second half, Mercyhurst dwindled the Mountaineers lead to nine with a 7-0 run, led by Aidan Reichert putting in the final five consecutive points.

West Virginia broke the game open with a 15-0 run midway through the second half with Toby Okani lead the way with six points as the Mountaineers took a 54-32 lead and coasted to a 67-46 victory.



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Humanities Council’s traveling exhibition, ‘Born of Rebellion: West Virginia’s Statehood and the Civil War,’ on display in Bluefield

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Humanities Council’s traveling exhibition, ‘Born of Rebellion: West Virginia’s Statehood and the Civil War,’ on display in Bluefield


PRESS RELEASE:

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The West Virginia Humanities Council’s flagship traveling exhibition, Born of Rebellion:  West Virginia Statehood and the Civil War, is now on display at the Paine Gallery at the Bluefield Arts  Center from now until February 3. Hours and information are available at www.barcwv.org. 

This comprehensive, large-scale experience covers sectional tensions within Virginia preceding the Civil  War, the violence and chaos of the war surrounding West Virginia’s formation and the difficult  aftermath as the new state struggled to forge its destiny during Reconstruction. Born of Rebellion explores this tumultuous and complex era from a wide range of perspectives, including politicians,  common soldiers, women and African Americans. Not simply a story of war and politics, Born of  Rebellion conveys the complexities and pitfalls that accompanied West Virginia’s arduous journey to  separation from Virginia. 

“It has been such a pleasure working with Bluefield Arts and Revitalization Corporation to get Born of  Rebellion in Mercer County for the holidays,” said Council Program Officer Kyle Warmack. “The Paine Gallery is a perfect display space for the exhibit, and we hope its time here provokes discussion about  this part of West Virginia’s experience during the war and our journey to statehood.” 

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For more information about Born of Rebellion, visit wvhumanities.org and click “Traveling Exhibits”  under the Programs menu. For more about the Paine Gallery, its hours of operation and other visitor  information, please contact the Bluefield Arts & Revitalization Corporation at (304) 589-0239. 

The West Virginia Humanities Council, an independent nonpartisan nonprofit, is the state affiliate of the  National Endowment for the Humanities. The Council is supported by the NEH, the State of West  Virginia and contributions from the private sector. The purposes of the West Virginia Humanities Council  are educational, and its mission is to support a vigorous program in the humanities statewide in West  Virginia.



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No. 14 West Virginia Upset in Boulder Following Brutal Fourth Quarter

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No. 14 West Virginia Upset in Boulder Following Brutal Fourth Quarter


Boulder, CO – No. 14 West Virginia took an 11-point lead into the fourth quarter but shot 2-12 from the field and committed four turnovers in the final 10 minutes as the Colorado Buffaloes (10-2) went 9-11 from the floor and stormed back from a 16-point second half deficit to upset the Mountaineers (10-2) Saturday night 65-60.

West Virginia junior guard Jordan Harrsion led the Mountaineers with 18 points and five assists, but Frida Formann put in a game-high 22 points and forwards Lior Garzon and Jade Masogayo led the second half comeback to combine for 22 second half points.

West Virginia junior guard Syndey Shaw started the night with a three and a pair of steals in the backcourt by Harrison that led to layups gave the Mountaineers an early 7-6 advantage.

Frida Formann was off to a hot start, hitting her first three field goal attempts for seven of the nine Colorado points, including a three to give Colorado a 9-7 lead at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter.

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The Mountaineers finished the first quarter with a 9-0 run with freshman forward Jordan Thomas leading the way with four points and a 16-9 WVU lead heading into the second quarter.

Jordan Harrsion opened the second quarter with a three to extend the lead to 10, but West Virginia went 3-9 and committed five turnovers while Colorado was 7-15 from the field and cut the deficit to three, 28-25, at the break.

Frida Forman led all scorers at the break with 15 points as Harrison scored a Mountaineer-high 12 points with two assists.

Jade Masogayo cut the WVU lead to one with a lay-in, but West Virginia responded with a 19-4 run, led by guard Kyah Watson putting in five of her eight points on the night for a 47-31 lead with 3:05 left in the third quarter.

Colorado began to build momentum heading into the fourth quarter, despite West Virginia leading by 11.

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The Mountaineers went cold in the fourth quarter while the Buffaloes got hot. West Virginia missed its first four shots from the field while Colorado dwindled the lead to five before Harrison got the contested layup and ended a five-minute scoring drought.

The Buffaloes continued their momentum, while West Virginia struggled from the field and extending their run to 22-4 behind nine points from Garzon to build a seven-point lead with 36 seconds remaining in the game and held on for the 65-60 victory.



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