ETHICS CHARGES LIKELY DROPPED AGAINST ROSS

(03/17/2005)

Ethics charges will likely be dropped against former State Senator Mike Ross. Ross was charged with a violation after he voted to approve a $750,000 grant to a Clarksburg country club that was hosting a golf tournament. Katherine Dooley, an examiner, says Ross didn't benefit directly from the deal, although he had financial ties, and therefore did not violate the state ethics laws. The Ethics Commission is expected to make a final decision next month. Through his business, Ross had loaned friends seven-point-seven million dollars to buy the club, and then he received 150 acres in nearby land as collateral. But Norm Steenstra, executive director of the West Virginia Citizen Action Group, which filed the complaint against Ross, says Dooley's recommendation is disappointing. The Ethics Commission has been under the gun for several decisions, including one which said former delegate and house education chair Jerry Mezzatesta did no wrong, double dipping and in getting grants for his employer, the Hampshire County Board of Education.

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