CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Benjamin Hatfield, former Raleigh County prosecuting attorney, has been disbarred from practicing law across West Virginia following a series of professional and personal controversies. The state’s Supreme Court of Appeals rendered Hatfield unable to practice law by annulling his license, a decision made with his voluntary consent last Wednesday.
Hatfield, who stepped down from his elected position last fall amidst mounting allegations, consented to the annulment of his license on December 30, 2024, effectively ending his legal career in the state. The move came as a resolution to an investigation spearheaded by the Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel, which was examining three separate complaints regarding Hatfield’s conduct. The specifics of these complaints remain confidential.
The legal system allows attorneys under probe for misconduct to voluntarily disbar themselves by affirming through an affidavit that they understand the consequences of their decision and that it is made freely. This path is typically chosen by lawyers who foresee little success in contesting the allegations against them. The details of such affidavits are normally kept private unless a court decides otherwise.
This disciplinary process is overseen by the Lawyer Disciplinary Board, constituting 22 members, including 15 active members of the West Virginia State Bar and seven public members. This board operates under the umbrella of the Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel, tasked with investigating and prosecuting breaches of professional conduct rules.
Amidst his legal challenges, Hatfield also faced accusations from multiple civil complaints. In August 2024, he vehemently denied the allegations brought forth in two impending civil complaints. Furthermore, a female acquaintance from Raleigh County, with whom Hatfield had a relationship, secured a 180-day domestic violence protective order against him during his term.
The controversy intensified when the Raleigh County Commission prompted an investigation by the West Virginia Legislature’s Commission on Special Investigations into Hatfield’s “inappropriate conduct” on August 24. Following this, Hatfield opted for a leave of absence starting two days later. Additionally, his office became the subject of a civil lawsuit by nine of its employees, who accused him of fostering a hostile work environment, discriminatory practices based on gender, and inappropriate harassment, among other issues.
Another civil suit alleged that Hatfield solicited sexual favors in exchange for dismissing criminal charges against a woman and her boyfriend, spanning incidents from 2017 to 2024. These allegations spurred investigations at local, state, and federal levels.
Hatfield, who resigned on October 25, 2024, amidst the early voting period for West Virginia’s general election, declared in his resignation letter that he would not serve if reelected. Despite winning the election against write-in candidate Jordan Adkins, he declined the position, leading to the appointment of Tom Truman as the new Raleigh County prosecuting attorney by the county commission.
This case highlights the intricate connections between personal conduct and professional responsibilities that legal and public service professionals are expected to uphold.
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