FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, August 23, 2018

Former WV Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Menis Ketchum II Pleads Guilty to Wire Fraud

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – United States Attorney Mike Stuart announced today that former West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Menis E. Ketchum II, age 75, pled guilty to wire fraud. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the West Virginia Legislature’s Commission on Special Investigations, and the Internal Revenue Service—Criminal Investigation Division conducted the investigation.

“Justice Ketchum did the right thing for doing the wrong thing,” said United States Attorney Mike Stuart. “There is no such thing as a small felony. There is no such thing as a little bit of public corruption. I want to praise the exemplary work of the FBI, the West Virginia Legislature’s Commission on Special Investigations, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations, and prosecutors Anna Forbes and Phil Wright.”

Justice Ketchum served as a Supreme Court Justice from January 1, 2008 through July 27, 2018. During that time, he admitted to repeated personal use of a State of West Virginia vehicle and State fuel credit card over the course of 2011 through 2014 in connection with his travel from his home in Huntington, West Virginia to and from a private golf club in western Virginia. The roundtrip mileage for each of these golf outings was approximately 400 miles and cost the taxpayers of West Virginia approximately $220 per trip.

Justice Ketchum faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 6, 2018.

United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr. presided over the plea hearing. Assistant United States Attorneys Anna Forbes and Phil Wright are handling the prosecution.

The plea agreeement can be found here.

https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdwv/pr/former-wv-supreme-court-appeals-justice-menis-ketchum-ii-pleads-guilty-wire-fraud

Director Haspel Welcomes Additions to Leadership Team

New Deputy Director, Chief Operating Officer, and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

CIA Director Gina Haspel welcomed three senior officers to the Agency’s leadership team with the arrival of Deputy Director Vaughn Bishop, Chief Operating Officer (COO) Andrew (Andy) Makridis, and Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer (CDIO) Sonya Holt. This week marks the first week that all three officers are in their new roles.

Sworn in on 6 August, Deputy Director Bishop returns to the Agency after a 30-year career. Director Haspel noted, “Vaughn is an incredible intelligence officer, highly respected in the analytic cadre and by our allies.”

COO Makridis succeeds Brian Bulatao, who is pending Senate confirmation to be Under Secretary of State for Management. “Andy brings a wealth of expertise from his 32-year CIA career and has a deep understanding of how the Agency works. He is the ultimate team player,” Director Haspel said.

CDIO Holt takes the helm after a 34-year Agency career. Director Haspel remarked, “To succeed against the intelligence challenges facing us today, we must have officers who bring a variety of life experiences and viewpoints to the job. Under the seasoned leadership of Sonya, we will continue to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce that is so vital to our mission.”

Director Haspel and her leadership team are hosting workforce engagements and will share more publicly about their priorities in the near future.

https://www.cia.gov/news-information/press-releases-statements/2018-press-releases-statements/director-haspel-announces-leadership-team.html

>>2713174

Hopefully the conversation is something like:

"You don't think I've been doing anything for the past 18 months! Let me show you everything I've done. Oh and you remember Mr. Huber and Mr. Horowitz, right?"