SHERIFF SAYS COURT BALIFF HOLCOMB RESIGNING - Commission Following Up On Complaints

(03/05/2014)
Problems raised by the Calhoun Deputy Sheriff's Civil Service Board could be resolved with the resignation of Randy Holcomb.

Calhoun Sheriff Carl Ballengee has advised the Calhoun Commission that Holcomb has resigned.

Longtime member of the Calhoun Co. Deputy Sheriffs Civil Service Board, attorney Loren Howley, expressed concerns to the Calhoun Commission about the hiring of Holcomb.

Holcomb has had various job titles as an employee of the sheriff's department, first employed as a temporary part-time deputy.

The Calhoun Commission has requested an opinion from the WV Ethics Commission regarding the sale of county property by the sheriff.

Sheriff Ballengee sold several retired duty weapons to Holcomb's son, a licensed gun dealer.

The ethics request was to clarify the legality of the sale.

Also at issue is the money from the sale of the weapons was deposited in the sheriff's concealed weapons fund, the commission is concerned the action was improper.

Commission president Scottie "Chip" Westfall said, "The commission is following up on the concerns of the Deputy Civil Service Board and other complaints."

See DEPUTY SHERIFF BOARD QUESTIONS DUTIES OF SHERIFF'S BAILIFF - Prosecutor Asked For Legal Opinion, Commission Moves To Audit Former Ambulance Service