By Tom Markland, The Journal
CHARLES TOWN, W.Va. — Tricia Jackson and Jennifer Krouse, two former Jefferson County commissioners who were criminally charged and removed from office after refusing to attend commission meetings in the fall of 2023, accepted a deal and entered their plea on Friday morning.
The two were originally charged on 42 misdemeanor charges, including failure to perform their official duties, among others. Their deal allowed them to plead “no contest” to one count of failure to perform official duties, punishable by a fine with a maximum of $100. The other 41 charges will be dismissed as a result.
According to a statement from their legal counsel, the pair agreed to the plea offer from Special Prosecutor John Ours, elected prosecuting attorney for Grant County, because the “no contest” plea both resolves the lengthy legal battle and is not an admission of guilt.
The court decided that each commissioner will pay a $50 fine, in addition to court costs, which adds up to $231.48.
