……….The Hancock County School takeover by the State took a dramatic turn Thursday when Hancock County IT Director, Steve McKinney, was escorted from his office at the Board of Education by West Virginia State Police. I stopped by the State Police Barracks Friday to make sure my story and terminology were straight. The trooper told me that an investigation had been launched into missing computer equipment and use of the purchasing care. He emphasized there was no arrest.
……. At this point the State Auditors Office has reportedly found irregularities in McKinney’s use of the “P” card (purchasing card) and the State Police are the investigative arm of the Auditor’s office. An investigation into whether the equipment that McKinney had ordered could be found in the school took place and the missing equipment was identified.
……….Two troopers were at McKinney’s home to execute a search warrant at the same time McKinney was escorted from his office in the Central Office. His car was also then searched.
………..Board President Chris Gillette had been trying to get information on the computers which had been ordered, even filing a FOIA with the County. Gillette was seeking information about equipment that was ordered and enabled the computer user to perform gaming or gambling. A list of what was allegedly seized from McKinney’s residence has not been released and will probably be included in an evidence list should the case go to the Grand Jury.
………McKinney’s wife, Amanda, is currently the Assistant Principal at Oak Glen Middle School
……….What is the process in this case? The computers, printers, etc. will likely be presented along with the information on the purchasing card to a prosecuting attorney. Whether it is Hancock County Prosecutor Stephen Dragisich or the Attorney General’s office is not known. The prosecuting attorney will then determine if the evidence is sufficient to take to the Grand Jury. Being indicted by a Grand Jury is not an indication of guilt. Delivering a true bill means there is sufficient evidence to take the case to trial. The next Grand Jury is not slated until September, but there is also the possibility that a secret grand jury be convened before then. With some of the equipment allegedly being used for gaming Federal laws may have been violated. I would assume that our close-knit county where everyone is interconnected or related would make it impossible to seat an unbiased jury. I would gather any trial would be held in Kanawha County. This is simply my scenario on how it could shake out based on my limited knowledge of the legal system.
……..Rumor is that the State will be in Hancock County this week. Let’s hope more investigations will conducted. Credit has be given to the current Board members who were generically painted with a wide brush as being incompetent and not doing their job. Board President Chris Gillette and Vice President Ed Fields (who is a former WV State Policeman) have been diligent in seeking answers from the State that I hope will lead us to some answers.
………I received my FOIA back from the State Board of Education on May 15 in files which I did not know how to open. It took granddaughter Abbi working with the State’s IT person to get it open. I am now just starting to go through e-mails. The first one that caught my eye is to Campanelli on the Financial Report being late again. In the middle of the e-mail, there is a complimentary sentence about Campanelli’s work. Something doesn’t add up.
……..Neither does hiring a CFO who had just filed bankruptcy in 2000. Those who file bankruptcy are unable to get bonded. The bond is necessary under State code and a copy must be filed in the County Clerk’s office. Yet, there was no bond on Campanelli until 2017. Can someone from the West Virginia Board of Education tell me how a CFO is not bonded for 17 years and nobody noticed or took any action? Also, I’d be curious as to what law that violates and why that issue was never addressed?
…….(an observation. Covering this story is getting to be dangerous. I get text messages all the time with information. We are going to granddaughter Katie’s wedding next month and I was in a dressing room in Macy’s trying on a dress when I got this information . I had one foot in the dress and one foot out. One arm was encased in a sleeve, but the free hand was holding onto my cell phone when the text came on this development. I know I exclaimed WOW before I toppled forward landing in a heap on the dressing room floor.)
