MORE MESSY MEZZ LETTERS FOUND - Mezzatesta Still Under Scrutiny

(10/07/2004)

Investigators at the WV Legislature say they have found several more letters that were faked during a scheme to deter the state Ethics Commission from investigating former House Education Chairman Jerry Mezzatesta. The letters were allegedly backdated to 2002 and 2003. Mezzatesta's wife and another legislative staffer reportedly faked and backdated a letter to the state school superintendent. House Speaker Bob Kiss has removed Mezzatesta as House Education chairman. The Ethics Commission continues to investigate whether Mezzatesta violated a 1999 agreement and improperly sought state funds for his school system in Hampshire County. State School Superintendent David Stewart has said he believes there was no wrongdoing on Mezzatesta's part. Mezzatesta has returned to his school board job in Hampshire County, where is seeking re-election to the legislature. Meanwhile, the president of a state teacher's union is calling for him to resign.

Hur Herald ®from Sunny Cal The information on these pages, to the extent the law allows, remains the exclusive property of Bob Weaver and Dianne Weaver The Hur Herald. All information may be freely used but must not be sold or used in any type of commercial endeavor, or used on any web site without the express permission of the owners ©Bob and Dianne Weaver, The Hur Herald, 1999, 2000, 2001