CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) – The whistleblower who wrote the five-page anonymous letter alleging wrongdoing and sparking an investigation into the West Virginia State Police has come forward.
Cpl. Joseph Comer, a member of the WV State Police, was the author of the letter, according to his attorney Dave Moye.
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The letter was sent to Governor Jim Justice (R-WV), Attorney General Patrick Morrisey and a host of state lawmakers. The letter was brought to light publicly in 2023.
The most serious allegations include sexual assaults, thefts, and damage to state-owned property at the state police academy. Other accusations include a hidden camera in the women’s locker room, misuse of taxpayer funds and some troopers billing for overtime they did not work.
Following the letter, Comer was arrested and charged with domestic battery and felony strangulation in connection to two child custody exchanges in Ritchie County, West Virginia.
When 13 News spoke with Attorney Moye about the charges, he said they are retaliatory in nature because Comer previously brought attention to misconduct from the top ranks of the department. He said the charges were filed the day before Comer was set to have a grievance hearing.
In March 2023, a Ritchie County magistrate judge decided there was probable cause in a felony strangulation charge against Comer to send the case to a grand jury. Comer pleaded not guilty to the misdemeanor battery charge.
WOWK 13 News reached out to WVSP...
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