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By Bob Weaver
Tangled stories, politics, accusations and violation of rights continue to
swirl in Braxton County, with the West Virginia State Police in the eye of the
storm.
Sgt. John Bonazzo, Braxton detachment commander, was reportedly angry
over a recent Charleston Gazette story, and drove to the rural residence of a
magistrate court intern, accusing her of giving information to the
Gazette.
The woman reportedly denied informing the press.
Statements made to The Gazette by retired State Policeman Sgt. Jeff
Swiger, Sgt. John Bonazzo's former supervisor, and Braxton Prosecutor
Brian Lanham, are in contention.
One statement relates to an incident involving the son of Swiger's girl friend,
who supposedly stole blank checks from the former trooper and forged
them, assisted by the juvenile's friends.
Jordan Grubb and Shane Boeger are to stand trial for forgery and conspiracy
for their part in the scheme. They say they did not receive money from the
checks, which amounted to $100 and $300.
A protective order was issued in Braxton magistrate court against former
trooper Swiger, apparently related to his behavior toward a juvenile, likely
linked to the check writing problem.
Jordan Grubb, the son of Braxton County Magistrate Carolyn Cruikshank,
was on Bonazzo's eleven-person "target list." The list said "These people
are not to be given any breaks if stopped."
The Gazette story said the "target list" memo was given to Braxton Sheriff
Howard Carpenter, but it was more widely circulated to "all law enforcement
agencies," according to Bonazzo's memo.
Swiger told the Gazette it was not improper for Sgt. Bonazzo to issue a
"target list" of Braxton citizens. Braxton Prosecutor Brian Lanham said he
felt the list was not illegal, although some experts say it is a violation of
civil rights, and civil suits are pending.
Despite Swiger's and Lanham's claims, the State Police did suspend Sgt.
Bonazzo for five days and apparently fired Trooper M. A. Staley for
professional misconduct. The State Police have declined to validate the
causes for the suspension or Staley's dismissal.
Sgt. Bonazzo has reportedly filed a grievance against the State Police, and
hired Charleston law firm Masters and Taylor to represent him. Retired
officer Swiger works as a private investigator for the firm.
Prosecutor Lanham told the Gazette, Sgt. Bonazzo's investigation regarding
the alleged forged checks was before he issued the so-called "target list,"
but records show Lanham is in error. Swiger's checks were missing several
days after the "target list" was issued.
Magistrate Cruikshanks has been accused of numerous ethics violations by
the State Police, and she is now being investigated by the Supreme Court
and defending herself.
Judges Alsop and Facemire have recused themselves from the check case.
Boeger's case is set for September 17 and Grubb's case is pending.
Magistrate Cruikshanks served as Magistrate Assistant to former Magistrate
Howard Carpenter for ten years before she was appointed to fill a vacancy
left by Donna Burge Tetrick. She has since been elected to the position.
Carpenter is now sheriff of Braxton County. | 
