By Josephine E. Moore, The Register-Herald
BECKLEY, W.Va. — On the day that former Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Benjamin Hatfield went on leave in August, and as controversy swirled about his personal and professional behavior, he emailed the Raleigh County Commission’s outside counsel, informing them of his intention to resign effective Oct. 11.
The emailed resignation was sent to Victor Flanagan on Friday, Aug. 26, according to Flanagan.
The resignation email was sent less than a week after Raleigh commissioners voted to request an investigation from the state Legislature’s Commission of Special Investigations into Hatfield’s alleged inappropriate conduct, which at the time was unspecified.
Hatfield officially left office as Raleigh County prosecuting attorney on Friday, Oct. 25.
Between the time he sent his first resignation email and the date he left office, Hatfield returned to work, signaling to the Raleigh County Commission that he would not be keeping to his previous agreement to resign on Oct. 11.
During that time, Hatfield became the subject of two civil complaints, which have yet to be filed.
