ARCH MOORE WANTS LAW LICENSE BACK - Will Sealed Testimony Be Used?

(03/17/2003)

Former West Virginia Governor Arch Moore efforts continue today to have his law license reinstated. Moore now claims he was not guilty, although there are indications a 16-count indictment was withheld. The hearing resumes this morning in Charleston before the state Lawyer's Disciplinary Board. The hearing was postponed in early December following a dispute over testimony. Nancy Hill, who worked in the federal prosecutor's office in 1991 when the former governor pleaded guilty to five federal charges, attempted to enter additional testimony regarding his case. He was convicted on mail fraud, obstruction of justice, extortion, and income tax evasion, and served 33 months in prison. Ms. Hill has been called to testify by the attorney representing the disciplinary board after the former governor told the panel during last fall's hearing that he never committed any of the crimes. Moore's attorney says Hill should not be allowed to testify. Hill has a sealed document from the investigation that could be submitted as evidence. It is believed to include a 16-count indictment that was used at the time, uncluding an internal memo that outlines what the prosecution said they had against Moore and his plea agreement. The hearing panel must decide if Hill can testify or can the documents be placed in evidence. The hearing panel will make a recommendation to the state Supreme on whether Moore's law license should be reinstated. The former governor says he wants to die a lawyer.

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