MARTINSBURG, W.Va. - Berkeley, Jefferson and Morgan counties will receive almost $180,000 in state money to help resolve long-standing courthouse security issues, according to West Virginia Court Security Board Chairman James M. Albert.
"We're not reacting to a tremendous problem," Albert said. "We're trying to stay ahead of the curve."
The issue of courtroom security drew statewide attention earlier this year when Morgan County Magistrate Bonnie Riffle told police she was attacked by two men Feb. 16 while she was working late in her office.
A subsequent police investigation resulted in criminal charges that Riffle made up the story in an attempt to collect workers' compensation. Riffle has denied the charges and has been suspended from the bench pending the outcome of her trial set to begin Aug. 3.
The situation surrounding Riffle was discussed during grant talks, but Albert said it was not a factor in any monetary decisions. The state Court Security Board is in its third year of providing money for security, Albert said.