Court Opinion

ID: 9951703
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-03-18 19:17:28.840571+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:42:07.658719
License: Public Domain

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS OF WEST VIRGINIA

                                  January 2024 Term                        FILED
                                                                    March 18, 2024
                                      No. 22-862                        released at 3:00 p.m.
                                                                     C. CASEY FORBES, CLERK
                                                                   SUPREME COURT OF APPEALS
                                                                         OF WEST VIRGINIA

                                    In the Matter Of:

                THE HONORABLE DEANNA R. ROCK,
 FAMILY COURT JUDGE OF THE TWENTY-THIRD FAMILY COURT CIRCUIT

                           DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

                                   REPRIMAND
                              AND OTHER SANCTIONS

                             Submitted: January 23, 2024
                               Filed: March 18, 2024

Rachael L. Fletcher Cipoletti, Esq.            Lonnie C. Simmons, Esq.
Special Judicial Disciplinary Counsel          DiPiero Simmons McGinley
Charleston, West Virginia                      & Bastress, PLLC
Attorney for West Virginia Special Judicial    Charleston, West Virginia
Investigation Commission                       Attorney for Respondent

JUSTICE WOOTON delivered the Opinion of the Court.
                             SYLLABUS BY THE COURT

              1.     “‘The Supreme Court of Appeals will make an independent evaluation

of the record and recommendations of the Judicial [Hearing] Board in disciplinary

proceedings.’ Syl. pt. 1, W. Va. Judicial Inquiry Commission v. Dostert, 165 W. Va. 233,

271 S.E.2d 427 (1980).” Syl., In re Hey, 193 W. Va. 572, 457 S.E.2d 509 (1995).

              2.     “‘“Under [Rule 4.5 of the West Virginia Rules of Disciplinary

Procedure], the allegations of a complaint in a judicial disciplinary proceeding ‘must be

proved by clear and convincing evidence.’” Syllabus Point 4, In Re Pauley, 173 W. Va.

228, 235, 314 S.E.2d 391, 399 (1983).’ Syllabus Point 1, Matter of Hey, 192 W. Va. 221,

452 S.E.2d 24 (1994).” Syl. Pt. 1, In re Starcher, 202 W. Va. 55, 501 S.E.2d 772 (1998).

              3.     “The purpose of judicial disciplinary proceedings is the preservation

and enhancement of public confidence in the honor, integrity, dignity, and efficiency of the

members of the judiciary and the system of justice.” Syl., In re Gorby, 176 W. Va. 16, 339

S.E.2d 702 (1985).

              4.     “Under Rule 4.12 of the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure

[1998] the Judicial Hearing Board may recommend, or this Court may impose, one or more

of the following sanctions for each violation by a justice, judge, or magistrate of the Code

of Judicial Conduct: (1) admonishment; (2) reprimand; (3) censure; (4) suspension without

pay for up to one year; (5) a fine of up to $5,000; or (6) involuntary retirement in limited

                                             i
circumstances. Additionally, this Court can assess the cost of the disciplinary proceedings

against a justice, judge, or magistrate.” Syl. Pt. 6, In re Watkins, 233 W. Va. 170, 757

S.E.2d 594 (2013).

              5.     “Always mindful of the primary consideration of protecting the honor,

integrity, dignity, and efficiency of the judiciary and the justice system, this Court, in

determining whether to suspend a judicial officer with or without pay, should consider

various factors, including, but not limited to, (1) whether the charges of misconduct are

directly related to the administration of justice or the public’s perception of the

administration of justice, (2) whether the circumstances underlying the charges of

misconduct are entirely personal in nature or whether they relate to the judicial officer’s

public persona, (3) whether the charges of misconduct involve violence or a callous

disregard for our system of justice, (4) whether the judicial officer has been criminally

indicted, and (5) any mitigating or compounding factors which might exist.” Syl. Pt. 3, In

re Cruickshanks, 220 W. Va. 513, 648 S.E.2d 19 (2007).

                                            ii
WOOTON, Justice:

              This matter arises from the recommendation of the West Virginia Judicial

Hearing Board (hereinafter “the Board”) that respondent Deanna R. Rock, Family Court

Judge of the Twenty-Third Family Court Circuit, be disciplined for three violations of the

West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.            These violations stem from alleged

misrepresentations made by respondent to disciplinary authorities regarding her

involvement with a letter written by a family court member of the Board; the letter

addressed a pending disciplinary matter and lodged allegations of misconduct against

Judicial Disciplinary Counsel (“JDC”). The Special Judicial Investigation Commission

levied eight charges against respondent regarding those alleged misrepresentations and the

Board found that respondent committed only three of the eight charged violations. As a

result, the Board recommended that she be reprimanded and required to pay the costs of

these proceedings.

              Respondent objects to the Board’s findings as to the three violations and asks

to be exonerated as to those charges as well, claiming that her statements about her

involvement with the letter were not intentionally false, but the result of faulty memory.

Special Judicial Disciplinary Counsel (“SJDC”) likewise objects to the recommended

discipline and requests that the Court find respondent committed the five additional

charged violations and enhance her sanction to a censure, $5,000 fine, and suspension until

the end of her term.

                                             1
              This Court has before it all matters of record, including the parties’

stipulations, a transcript of the evidentiary hearing conducted by the Board and the exhibits

introduced, as well as the briefs and arguments of counsel.         Based on this Court’s

independent review of the record, we agree with the Board’s conclusion that respondent

committed two violations of Rule 2.16(A) and one violation of Rule 1.1 of the West

Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct; however, we also find that respondent’s conduct

violated Rule 1.2 as alleged in the statement of charges. We nonetheless adopt the Board’s

recommended discipline and find it appropriate that respondent be reprimanded and

directed to pay the costs of the proceedings.

                     I. FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

              Respondent has been a member of the West Virginia State Bar since 2004

and was elected to serve as a Family Court Judge in the 23rd Family Court Circuit for a

term commencing in 2017. For much of the pertinent time period, respondent was also the

President of the West Virginia Family Court Judicial Association (“WVFCJA”). She has

never been previously disciplined as a lawyer or judge. Although respondent’s conduct in

this matter relates to alleged misrepresentations to disciplinary authorities, those alleged

misrepresentations were provided in conjunction with and/or relate to two separate

disciplinary matters.    To provide necessary context for respondent’s conduct, our

discussion requires that we delve into those matters and the surrounding circumstances.

                                                2
THE GOLDSTON JUDICIAL DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDING

              In late 2020, judicial complaints were filed against two family court judges

for conducting so-called “judicial views” or “home visits” wherein they would personally

inspect property and/or enter the homes of divorce litigants in proceedings before them for

purposes of resolving personal property disputes. The most notable of these judicial

complaints involved Family Court Judge Louise Goldston (“Goldston”); a majority of this

Court determined that such “views” constitute warrantless searches and that Goldston

should be censured and fined $1,000.00 for her conduct with regard to one such search.

See In re Goldston, 246 W. Va. 61, 73, 866 S.E.2d 126, 138 (2021) (finding Goldston “left

her role as an impartial judicial officer and participated in an executive function when she

entered the . . . home to oversee the search”).

              As President of the WVFCJA—as well as a colleague and friend—

respondent communicated with Goldston during her disciplinary proceedings.              For

purposes of those proceedings, respondent also collaborated behind the scenes with other

family court judges in defense of the propriety of the “judicial views.” 1 Respondent

believed that ethical violations attached to these “views” could negatively impact the

family court judiciary. Regardless, Goldston stipulated to various violations of the Code

of Judicial Conduct in her disciplinary proceeding relating to one particular “view” and

       1
         Respondent explained that Goldston was concerned about mounting legal fees and
therefore she and other family court judges collaborated to perform legal research on the
issue of whether family court judges are authorized to conduct these “judicial views.”
                                              3
requested that respondent and/or other family court judges send character letters to JDC on

her behalf.

              Respondent and two other family court judges—David Greenberg and Mary

Ellen Griffith—sent letters in support of Goldston’s character to JDC in October 2020. In

response to those letters, JDC Brian Lanham telephoned respondent and advised that the

letters had been presented to the Judicial Investigation Commission (the “Commission”),

which determined that the letters violated various provisions of the Code of Judicial

Conduct including Rule 3.3 which provides that a judge “shall not testify as a character

witness in a judicial, administrative, or other adjudicatory proceeding or otherwise vouch

for the character of a person in a legal proceeding, except when subpoenaed to testify.”

JDC Lanham followed up on this call with a confirmatory letter to respondent and the

others, which he characterized as a “warning letter.” 2

              Goldston’s disciplinary hearing was held on January 15, 2021; shortly after

that hearing, JDC Teresa Tarr moved to disqualify Board member Family Court Judge Glen

Stotler (“Stotler”) from the proceedings. JDC contended that, based upon the manner and

content of comments made by Stotler during the disciplinary hearing suggesting the

charges were meritless, Stotler demonstrated bias and prejudice against JDC. Stotler

refused the recusal request. On March 16, 2021, the Board issued its recommended

       2
          Contemporaneous with this exchange, the Commission issued an advisory opinion
to this effect.
                                             4
decision in the Goldston matter, with Stotler dissenting and opining that, despite

Goldston’s stipulations, no violation of the Code of Judicial Conduct had been established.

Both Goldston and JDC objected to the recommended findings and the matter was placed

upon this Court’s argument docket.

THE “STOTLER LETTER”

              Shortly after the Board issued its recommended decision in the Goldston

matter, Stotler submitted a letter dated March 25, 2021, to then-Chief Justice Evan Jenkins

lodging a complaint against and requesting an investigation of JDC (the “Stotler letter”).

Relative to JDC’s handling of the Goldston and other judicial disciplinary matters, Stotler

accused JDC of “abusing its power and authority” in the manner in which its attorneys

investigated and interviewed judges. The letter further castigated JDC Tarr for her

“questionable and unacceptable” response to his questioning during the Goldston matter.

Respondent was copied on the letter as President of the WVFCJA, along with members of

this Court, its Administrative Office, and the West Virginia Legislature. Stotler later

provided a copy of the letter to the Chair of the Commission, Judge Alan Moats, who

forwarded it to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel; that office opened an investigation into

JDC Tarr and Lanham in April 2021.

              On May 13, 2021, the Investigative Panel of the West Virginia Lawyer

Disciplinary Board issued its report on the investigation of JDC Tarr and Lanham, finding

no merit to Stotler’s complaint and closing the matter. On May 25, 2021, Supreme Court

                                             5
Administrative Director Joseph Armstrong filed a complaint against Stotler with the

Commission with regard to the Stotler letter. A formal statement of charges was filed

against him in March 2022. 3

THE “MOATS LETTER”

              Shortly after the Stotler letter was sent, on April 6, 2021, respondent and

Judges Greenberg and Griffith jointly wrote to Lisa Tackett, Director of the Division of

Court Services, regarding the “warning letter” JDC Lanham sent them in October about

the Goldston character letters. They questioned JDC’s authority to issue a warning letter

and expressed concern about the effect of the warning letter on their disciplinary record, as

well as its potential use against them in future matters. They claimed that the West Virginia

Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure contained no authority for the issuance of a

“warning,” particularly without permitting a judge to challenge JDC’s characterization of

       3
         As a result of these charges, Stotler stipulated to three violations of the Code of
Judicial Conduct for forwarding the Stotler letter to this Court while the Goldston matter
was pending. He stipulated to violating Rule 2.10 regarding judicial statements on pending
or impending cases, as well as Rule 1.1 and 1.2 requiring judges to comply with the law
and avoid the appearance of impropriety. JDC and Stotler jointly recommended that he be
reprimanded and charged with costs; this Court adopted that recommendation in October
2023.

                                             6
their conduct. 4 In that regard, on April 23, 2021, respondent and the others jointly wrote

to JDC Tarr and requested an advisory opinion on JDC’s authority to issue warnings.

              On April 27, 2021, JDC Tarr wrote to respondent and the others notifying

them that she and JDC Lanham had disqualified themselves from handling complaints

“involving Judge Stotler or any other Judge who may have helped in the submission of [the

Stotler letter]” and that, because the requested advisory opinion “relates in part to the

Stotler matter,” they were disqualifying themselves as to the request as well. (Emphasis

added). Per emails from respondent regarding the letter, as well as her subsequent

testimony, she took umbrage at the suggestion— under her reading of the letter—that JDC

Tarr was accusing her of having “helped with” the Stotler letter.

              In response, on April 30, 2021, respondent and Judges Greenberg and

Griffith jointly wrote to Judge Moats as Chair of the Commission (the “Moats letter”) to

express concerns about JDC Tarr’s recusal letter. The Moats letter states that JDC Tarr’s

recusal letter contains a “strong and unfounded implication that each of us were involved

in the drafting and the submission of [the Stotler letter]” and that this implication is

“completely without merit or foundation[.]” The three judges denied that they were

“involved with the concept or writing of [the Stotler letter]” and stated “there is NO

       4
         Respondent explained that her specific concern stemmed from her intention to
apply for a seat on the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals and whether she would
be required to disclose this warning and/or whether it would be released as part of the
application process.
                                             7
association between the three of us and the writing or sending of Judge Stotler’s letter.”

(Emphasis added). 5 The Moats letter is signed by all three family court judges including

respondent.

RESPONDENT’S SWORN STATEMENT AND ENSUING COMPLAINT

              In the course of SJDC’s investigation of the complaint against Stotler, SJDC

delved into the drafting and submission of the Stotler letter. To that end, SJDC took a

sworn statement from Stotler’s assistant, Joy Renee Campbell, who testified that she did

not email or fax the letter to anyone for review prior to it being mailed and specifically

denied speaking with respondent about it. SJDC then requested respondent provide a

sworn statement. Respondent requested additional information about the subject matter of

the sworn statement and was issued an investigative subpoena identifying Stotler as the

subject of the investigation; respondent obtained the complaint against Stotler from him in

advance of her sworn statement.

              On January 31, 2022, SJDC conducted a sworn statement of respondent

regarding, among other things, her knowledge of and involvement with the Stotler letter.

       5
         The Moats letter further states that the three judges had “lost all faith” in JDC Tarr
and Lanham’s ability to be impartial or unbiased toward them and that they “welcome[d]”
their recusal from “anything that has to do with any of us . . . now or in the future.” On
June 28, 2021, Judge Moats responded, advising that the Commission voted to decline the
request for an advisory opinion because it did not comport with West Virginia Rule of
Judicial Disciplinary Procedure 2.13 regarding advisory opinions.
                                              8
During the statement, respondent maintained that she first became aware of the Stotler

letter when it appeared on her desk in an envelope from Stotler:

              Q.     When you received [the Stotler letter] . . . was that the
                     first time that you had seen or heard about the contents
                     of the letter?

              A.     Yes.

Respondent also denied speaking with Stotler about the letter prior to its receipt:

              Q.     Did Judge Stotler speak to you about the contents of
                     the letter before he sent it to you on the 25th?

              A.     No.

              Q.     Even to say I’m sending you a letter?

              A.     No.

Respondent further denied having disseminated the Stotler letter to the press, including the

West Virginia Record, which reported on it. 6 SJDC posed additional questions regarding

the Goldston matter specifically, including whether respondent had “conversations” with

Stotler about the Goldston matter. Respondent testified that she knew that she could not

discuss the Goldston matter with Stotler due to his position on the Board and did not do so

until a May 2021 WVFCJA meeting, after the Board had issued its decision in the Goldston

matter.

       6
          As to the latter, the West Virginia Record was anonymously provided the Stotler
letter, the header of which contained a fax transmittal line designated “Stotler/Rock.”
Respondent admitted to faxing the letter to at least one and possibly more family court
judges but denied sending it to the press. SJDC now appears to have accepted respondent’s
explanation that someone to whom respondent faxed the letter—and not respondent—
provided it to the press.
                                             9
              On March 29, 2022, SJDC notified respondent through her counsel that a

judicial ethics complaint had been opened against her. The complaint was based upon

alleged misrepresentations during respondent’s January 2022 sworn statement, as follows:

1) denying that she was involved in the “drafting, editing, or any preparation of” the Stotler

letter; 2) denying that she spoke to Stotler about the letter prior to its receipt; 3) denying

that she disseminated the Stotler letter to the press; and 4) denying that she spoke with

Stotler about the Goldston matter before May 2021 or “sen[t] or provid[ed]” him

information pertaining to the Goldston matter. 7

              Importantly, along with the notice of complaint, SJDC provided respondent’s

counsel with printouts of certain data from respondent’s Court-issued computer including

instant messages (“IM”s) between respondent and Ms. Campbell. This computer data

reveals that on March 19, 2021—six days before the date of the Stotler letter—Ms.

Campbell emailed respondent a draft of the Stotler letter which was downloaded onto her

computer that date.

              The computer data further indicates that on the following Monday—March

22, 2021—IMs were exchanged between respondent and Ms. Campbell regarding whether

Stotler had received a fax from respondent that “Judge Jim Douglas wants him to see” and

which she “would rather not email[.]” IMs that same day also reveal that Ms. Campbell

       7
        But see discussion infra comparing allegation in statement of charges with
questions posed on this issue.
                                             10
inquired of respondent about her title with the WVFCJA and that of Keith Hoover of this

Court’s Administrative Office—both of whom were copied on the final version of the

Stotler letter. 8 On March 24, 2021, Ms. Campbell inquired of respondent via IM whether

she had received a fax from Stotler. In response, respondent acknowledged receipt of the

fax, identified a missing page, and later identified a typo on page two of the faxed document

stating that the year 1956 should be placed in parentheses. 9 Her final IM to Ms. Campbell

that date states: “[O]verall, the letter looks good. Please ask Judge to call me before you

mail this.” Moreover, the computer data reveals that in early April, 2021, draft objections

to the recommended decision in the Goldston disciplinary matter, which had been

forwarded by Goldston to respondent, were then forwarded by respondent to Stotler via

email twice without commentary. None of this computer data was presented to respondent

prior to or during her sworn statement.

              In response to the complaint and computer data, respondent’s counsel wrote

to SJDC and indicated that upon review of the computer data, respondent’s memory was

“refreshed” and she wanted to “correct[]” her sworn statement and “ensure the accuracy of

the record[.]” Respondent, through counsel, conceded that she now recalled that she did

see the Stotler letter before she received it on her desk, “made some minor suggestions,”

       8
        Respondent testified she did not know why Ms. Campbell was inquiring about
these names and titles at the time.
       9
        The final version of the Stotler letter contains a citation to a 1956 case which
purportedly pertained to the authority of a judge to conduct a “judicial view.”
                                             11
and requested that Stotler call her before mailing. Respondent’s counsel conveyed that

respondent wanted to inquire as to whether Stotler was actually going to mail the letter or

was “simply [] venting” but did not ultimately speak with him before its mailing. Her

counsel conveyed that respondent took issue with the allegation that she falsely denied

“drafting, editing, or preparing” the Stotler letter, claiming she was never asked this

specific question during her statement and admitting only to “proofreading it and making

a few suggested corrections”—none of which constituted “drafting, editing, or preparing.”

Insisting that respondent simply did not recall having seen the letter previously,

respondent’s counsel referred SJDC to that portion of the sworn statement where

respondent explained that she was often called upon to proofread professional

correspondence or writings in her role with the WVFCJA because she was “the grammar

person.” Respondent reiterated her denial of forwarding the Stotler letter to the press and

professed to have no recall of sending the Goldston draft objections to Stotler.

              Respondent gave a second sworn statement in July 2022, reiterating that she

did not intentionally give false information during her first sworn statement but simply did

not recall seeing or offering edits to the Stotler letter prior to receiving it on her desk.

Respondent insisted that she likely did not recall her proofreading efforts because the

content of the letter was not “impactful” for her and did not “resonate” with her because it

“wasn’t [her] letter.” Respondent further attempted to explain her memory failure by

testifying that she had a lot on her mind at the time of her sworn statement including health

issues, looking for a new assistant, working on legislative initiatives, as well as her

                                             12
uncertainty about the scope of the sworn statement. As to the latter, respondent suggested

that she was precluded from reviewing her own files to determine her involvement with

the letter in advance of the statement because she was not provided sufficient detail about

the statement’s scope.

THE STATEMENT OF CHARGES AND DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS

              In November 2022, a formal statement of charges was issued containing

eight charges for various violations of the West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct, as

follows: five charges of failure to cooperate with disciplinary authorities for various

misstatements in violation of Rule 2.16(A); 10 one charge of failure to comply with the law

in violation of Rule 1.1; 11 one charge of failure to promote confidence in the judiciary in

       10
          Rule 2.16(A) provides: “A judge shall cooperate and be candid and honest with
judicial and lawyer disciplinary agencies.” The “failure to cooperate” violations comprise
charges three through seven of the statement of charges and are based on the following
alleged misrepresentations: Charge 3—denying in her sworn statement that she provided
Goldston’s draft objections to the Board’s recommended decision to Stotler; Charge 4—
denying in her sworn statement that she had “seen or heard” about the Stotler letter prior
to receiving it in the mail; Charge 5—denying in her sworn statement that she discussed
the Stotler letter with him prior to her receipt of it; Charge 6—“testif[ying] under oath . . .
that she had nothing to do with the letter and did not help with the letter”; and Charge 7—
stating in the Moats letter that there was “‘NO association between the three of us and the
writing or sending’” of the Stotler letter.
       11
         Rule 1.1 provides: “A judge shall comply with the law,* including the West
Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.”

                                              13
violation of Rule 1.2; 12 and one charge of abusing the prestige of judicial office by

“advanc[ing] the allegations of misconduct about JDC” and requesting its recusal in

matters involving her and the other two family court judges in violation of Rule 1.3. 13 See

supra n.5.

THE DISCIPLINARY HEARING AND RECOMMENDED DECISION

              On March 22, 2023, respondent testified before the Board, largely restating

the defenses outlined above, and called two character witnesses to speak to her integrity

and honesty. Ms. Campbell also testified and claimed that, like respondent, she simply did

not remember faxing the Stotler letter to respondent or having previously communicated

with her about it at the time of her sworn statement.

              On May 25, 2023, the Board issued its recommended decision pursuant to

Rule 4.8 of the West Virginia Rules of Judicial Disciplinary Procedure, finding only three

of the eight alleged violations proven by clear and convincing evidence. 14 The Board

        Rule 1.2 provides: “A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public
       12

confidence in the independence,* integrity,* and impartiality* of the judiciary, and shall
avoid impropriety and the appearance of impropriety.”

        Rule 1.3 provides: “A judge shall not abuse the prestige of judicial office to
       13

advance the personal or economic interests* of the judge or others, or allow others to do
so.”

        The Board’s vote on the recommended decision was 6-1; Judges Michael D.
       14

Lorensen and Andrew Dimlich recused themselves and Family Court Judge Brittany
Ranson Stonestreet dissented.
                                            14
found that respondent committed two violations of Rule 2.16(A) by 1) falsely denying

having previously “seen or heard” of the Stotler letter as alleged in Charge Four, and 2)

falsely denying any “association” with it in the Moats letter as alleged in Charge Seven.

As to these findings, the Board concluded that respondent’s contention that she forgot she

had seen and reviewed the Stotler letter was “not credible” in view of her proofreading

edits and approval. For the same reasons, the Board further found that respondent was

“less than candid” in the Moats letter by denying any “association” with the Stotler letter.

The Board found that these violations also resulted in a concurrent violation of Rule 1.1

requiring a judge to comply with the law as alleged in Charge One.

               However, as to the remaining charges, the Board found that 1) respondent

was credible in her explanation that any transmittal of Goldston’s draft objections to Stotler

was inadvertent and that she did not discuss the Stotler letter with him before he sent it; 2)

respondent did not falsely disclaim that she “draft[ed], edit[ed], or revise[d]” the Stotler

letter because she merely “proofread” it; and 3) respondent’s request that JDC Tarr and

Lanham recuse themselves was not an attempt to abuse the prestige of her office, but

merely an expression of concern about their involvement. Finally, as to the alleged Rule

1.2 violation, the Board found that respondent’s actions did not bear on public confidence

in the judiciary because none of her actions were in furtherance or performance of her

judicial duties.

                                             15
              Insofar as the recommended discipline, the Board similarly found that

respondent’s conduct did not affect the public’s perception of the administration of justice

because it did not arise from performance of her judicial duties and related more to personal

matters than public ones. The Board further found that the charges did not involve violence

or callous disregard for justice, there were no criminal repercussions from the charges, and

respondent had no prior complaints. Accordingly, the Board recommended that respondent

be reprimanded and required to pay the costs of these proceedings. Both respondent and

SJDC objected to the Board’s recommended decision. 15

                             II. STANDARD OF REVIEW

              With respect to discipline for violations of the West Virginia Code of Judicial

Conduct, “‘[t]he Supreme Court of Appeals will make an independent evaluation of the

record and recommendations of the Judicial [Hearing] Board in disciplinary proceedings.’

Syl. pt. 1, W. Va. Judicial Inquiry Commission v. Dostert, 165 W. Va. 233, 271 S.E.2d 427

(1980).” Syl., In re Hey, 193 W. Va. 572, 457 S.E.2d 509 (1995). “The independent

evaluation of the Court shall constitute a de novo or plenary review of the record.” In re

Starcher, 202 W. Va. 55, 60, 501 S.E.2d 772, 777 (1998). Allegations in a complaint must

       15
          SJDC’s written objection was limited to the Board’s recommended sanction;
however, in its brief, SJDC also asks the Court to find that respondent committed the
violations on which the Board exonerated her. Because SJDC’s written objection
referenced only the recommended discipline, respondent argues that SJDC may not
“relitigate” the exonerated charges. However, because this Court is obligated to conduct a
de novo review of the proceedings and is the final arbiter of judicial discipline, SJDC’s
lack of precision in its written objection presents no impediment to our consideration of all
of the charged violations. See infra text regarding our standard of review.
                                             16
be proved by clear and convincing evidence. Id. at 56, 501 S.E.2d at 773, syl. pt. 1. With

these standards in mind, we turn now to consider the Board’s recommendations.

                                    III. DISCUSSION

              The bulk of the charges against respondent—and the parties’ arguments

herein—involve the alleged misrepresentations violative of Rule 2.16(A) of the Code of

Judicial Conduct. As a result of the two Rule 2.16(A) violations found by the Board, it

also found a concurrent violation of Rule 1.1 for failure to comply with the law, but

exonerated respondent on a second, related charge for violation of Rule 1.2 regarding

public confidence in the judiciary, which we address separately below. Finally, the Board

found no violation of Rule 1.3 for “abuse of the prestige of judicial office” regarding

respondent’s request that JDC Tarr and Lanham recuse themselves indefinitely as to

matters involving her; both SJDC and respondent offer little in regard to this charge.

A.     RULE 2.16(A), RULE 1.1, AND RULE 1.3 VIOLATIONS

              Rule 2.16(A) provides that “[a] judge shall cooperate and be candid and

honest with judicial and lawyer disciplinary agencies.” As indicated, the Board found that

respondent violated this rule by “misrepresent[ing]” her involvement with the Stotler letter:

by denying in her sworn statement that she had not previously “seen or heard” of the letter

prior to receiving it on her desk and by disclaiming “association” with it in the Moats letter.

Respondent, however, seizes upon that portion of the Board’s recommended decision

which states that, with regard to these misrepresentations, the Board “does not find clear

                                              17
and convincing evidence that [] [r]espondent was intentionally dishonest but finds clear

and convincing evidence that she was less than candid.” (Emphasis added).

              In that regard, respondent argues that a Rule 2.16(A) violation requires proof

of a “knowing and willful” misstatement and respondent—found credible by the Board as

to certain issues—merely suffered a memory failure.             Respondent offers caselaw

purporting to contrast the type of “intentional dishonesty” required to violate the rule with

statements which were merely “mistakes”—which some courts have identified as being

insufficient to violate the rule. See, e.g., In re Kroger, 702 A.2d 64, 67 (Vt. 1997)

(“[J]udges do not violate the Code when they unintentionally make false or misleading

statements-that is, when they make mistakes.” (footnote omitted)). 16

              We acknowledge that this isolated language in the recommended decision

may invite a semantical debate about the difference between a lack of candor and

“dishonesty” and implicitly injects the concept of “intent” into Rule 2.16(A), which is silent

       16
          Respondent directs us to In re Williams, 248 W. Va. 106, 887 S.E.2d 231 (2023),
for the proposition that this Court has already declared that a “mere mistake” is insufficient
to support a Rule 2.16(A) violation. In Williams, a judge was charged with a Rule 2.16(A)
violation for failing to disclose an incident during his sworn statement involving his
inadvertent failure to pay for groceries. 248 W. Va. at 117-18, 887 S.E.2d at 242-43. The
Court found no Rule 2.16(A) violation for lack of candor because the incident was a
“mistake” and therefore not something one would reasonably expect to be disclosed as
wrongdoing to disciplinary authorities in the context of that case. Id. at 125, 887 S.E.2d at
250. The Court’s reference in that opinion to a “mistake” plainly refers to the underlying
incident itself—rather than the judge’s failure to disclose it in his sworn statement.
                                             18
in that regard. 17 However, we find it unnecessary to undertake an analysis of these issues

because we disagree with respondent’s underlying contention: that the Board believed that

she suffered a simple lack of memory, i.e. made a “mistake,” but nonetheless found her

answers false and violative of Rule 2.16(A). To the contrary, the recommended decision

expressly states that the Board found that “it is not credible that [respondent] forgot that

she had seen and reviewed the Stotler letter.”

              In support of its findings, the Board very carefully and thoroughly evaluated

the testimony and evidence, explaining why it found respondent’s claim of innocent

memory failure “unconvincing.” The Board drew focus to respondent’s testimony that she

       17
          We observe that the Board elaborated on the distinction it drew between
“intentional dishonesty” and “lack of candor,” taking respondent to task for attempting to
sanitize her denials by “parsing words.” The Board noted that courts have observed that
the requirement of candor “goes beyond technical truthfulness” and that “[p]arsing
language, especially in the context of a judicial disciplinary investigation and when under
oath, is not being ‘candid’”:

              Proofreading and pronouncing a draft letter “good” may not be
              drafting, revising, or preparing the letter but claiming not to
              have any “association” with the letter and not seeing it until it
              was sent when it was received, proofread, and returned with at
              least one correction and with contact information included in
              the letter is not credible and indicates perhaps not intentional
              dishonesty, but a lack of candor.

(Emphasis added). We find this discussion pertinent to the occasional imprecision of the
questions posed during respondent’s sworn statements as compared with her responses.
Indeed, the occasional incongruence between the charged misrepresentations and the
questions as phrased during respondent’s sworn statement is a recurrent issue in the case.
We believe the Board’s recommended decision reflects its attempt to hold respondent
accountable for only those statements which are false under any good faith interpretation
of the question and response. See infra discussion and n.19.
                                             19
likely forgot about her limited involvement with the Stotler letter because the letter was

“inconsequential” and “not impactful” to her. The Board carefully debunked this

explanation by noting that the Stotler letter lodged complaints against JDC in the specific

context of the Goldston matter—a matter in which respondent admitted to being highly

interested and peculiarly involved. The Board noted that 1) as President of the WVFCJA

respondent had a professional interest in the Goldston matter; 2) she had discussed the

issues in the case with another family court judge who also conducted “judicial views” like

Goldston; and 3) as a result of her professional interest, she was actively assisting in certain

aspects of Goldston’s defense. We agree with the Board’s assessment of this evidence,

which demonstrates that respondent’s claim that the Stotler letter was merely a benign

piece of correspondence—which she perfunctorily reviewed as a professional courtesy and

immediately disregarded—is not credible in context.

              The Board similarly rejected respondent’s suggestion that she forgot about

her involvement with the letter because she was given such scant information regarding the

sworn statement, providing her no opportunity to refresh her memory about it. The Board

noted that respondent requested and received a subpoena identifying Stotler as the subject

of the investigation and reviewed a copy of Stotler’s disciplinary complaint—which was

based entirely on the Stotler letter—prior to her sworn statement and therefore had every

reason to know the likely focus of SJDC’s questioning.

                                              20
               Moreover, the Board emphasized respondent’s unequivocal denials of any

involvement with the Stotler letter from the outset—none of which left room for the

possibility that she may have had prior knowledge or involvement with the letter, but it had

slipped her mind.       The Board quoted respondent’s testimony that JDC Tarr’s

disqualification letter suggesting she “helped with” the Stotler letter “really made me mad”

because it was “borne of zero evidence” and “was an allegation against my character,

against my ethics based on nothing.” The Board further noted that portion of the Moats

letter wherein the three judges “expressed resentment” at the implication they were

involved with the Stotler letter and “would request an apology, but for the futility of it.”

The Board then juxtaposed respondent’s “ire,” “outrage,” and “fervent denials” with the

computer data revealing that, in fact, she not only previewed the letter, but offered

proofreading edits and her approval of the letter by stating it “looks good” prior to its

transmittal.   We further note that—unlike her sworn statement which was taken

approximately ten months after the Stotler letter and might arguably support a claim of

faulty memory—these wholesale denials occurred a mere month after respondent

previewed and proofread it and continued until she was confronted with the computer data

showing the denials to be inaccurate.

               In rejecting respondent’s claims of memory failure, the Board plainly found

that respondent recalled her involvement with the Stotler letter but was not forthcoming

about it despite that being the obvious import of SJDC’s inquiries, thereby demonstrating

a lack of candor violative of Rule 2.16(A). Similarly, because the Board concluded that

                                            21
respondent did not merely forget her prior involvement with the Stotler letter, in the Moats

letter she falsely disclaimed any “association with” it—a further violation of Rule

2.16(A). 18 We agree and therefore reject respondent’s contention that she has been unfairly

saddled with ethical violations for having an imperfect memory.

               Moreover, the Board very clearly identified the allegations for which it found

respondent’s exculpatory explanations credible and consistent with the evidence. As to

respondent’s denial that she spoke to Stotler prior to his sending the letter, the Board

“credit[ed]” her testimony; while respondent may have requested to speak to Stotler prior

to the letter being mailed, the Board noted that there was no evidence that she actually did.

As to her denial of sending the draft objections to the Goldston recommended decision to

Stotler, the Board “accept[ed]” respondent’s testimony that any transmission was

inadvertent.

               The Board’s findings as to this charge notwithstanding, however, we observe

that SJDC fails to direct us to that portion of respondent’s sworn statement where she

falsely denied “provid[ing] the draft versions of the [Goldston] objections to [] Stotler” as

alleged in Charge Three of the statement of charges. Notably, as to this charge, SJDC’s

brief references only that portion of the record where respondent denied she had a “role in

       18
         We further reject respondent’s argument that because the denial of association in
the Moats letter was phrased jointly, i.e., “there is NO association between the three of us
and the writing or sending of Judge Stotler’s letter” she cannot be singled out for a Rule
2.16(A) violation. (Emphasis added). To the contrary, this statement in the Moats letter—
which respondent signed individually—is unquestionably false as pertains to her.
                                             22
drafting of Judge Goldston’s response to [JDC’s] objections”—a decidedly different

question altogether—which SJDC then mischaracterizes as a false denial of “any

involvement” with Goldston’s “pleadings.” (Some emphasis added). Our review of her

sworn statement indicates that she was never asked whether she provided the draft

objections or any information or materials to Stotler regarding the Goldston matter—nor

was she asked any question reasonably designed to elicit this admission. 19

              Although this Court has plenary review of judicial disciplinary matters, we

have observed that “the Hearing Board is in a better position to resolve the factual disputes

of a particular case[]” because its members “hear the testimony of the witnesses firsthand

and are much closer to the pulse of the hearing to resolve such issues as credibility and

conflict of facts.” In re Browning, 192 W. Va. 231, 234 n.4, 452 S.E.2d 34, 37 n.4 (1994);

see also In re Ferguson, 242 W. Va. 691, 698-99, 841 S.E.2d 887, 894-95 (2020) (“Even

       19
          In absence of any proper citation to the record otherwise, we find only that SJDC
asked respondent whether she had any “conversations with [] Stotler about anything having
to do with the Goldston case”—without referencing a specific time period. (Emphasis
added). More importantly, however, respondent was not charged with falsely denying
“conversations” with Stotler about the Goldston matter (as opposed to “discuss[ing]” the
Stotler letter with him as per Charge Five), and we do not find that forwarding, without
commentary, a document via email is tantamount to having a “conversation” about a
matter.

        In this regard, while we agree that the Board correctly admonished respondent for
attempting to “parse words” with respect to her unequivocal denials of any prior awareness
of or involvement with the Stotler letter, charges are not properly brought regarding false
replies to questions or issues perhaps alluded to but never asked. A judge’s honesty and
candor must be fairly assessed relative to the questions posed and as worded for purposes
of Rule 2.16(A).
                                             23
though we make an independent review of the record in judicial disciplinary cases, on this

issue we will defer to the Board’s credibility determinations and resolution of conflicting

evidence.” (footnote omitted)). Accordingly, “[s]ubstantial consideration . . . should be

given to the findings of fact of the Hearing Board[]” and “absent a showing of some mistake

or arbitrary assessment, findings of fact are to be given substantial weight.” Browning,

192 W. Va. at 234 n.4, 452 S.E.2d at 37 n.4. In a case such as this, the Court is hard-

pressed to substitute its judgment for the “collective and evaluative” discernment of the

Board as to disputed issues of fact centering almost exclusively on the credibility of

witnesses. Id. That said, however, we find the evidence and testimony entirely consistent

with the Board’s credibility and factual determinations and agree with its conclusions.

              We therefore accept the Board’s findings as to Charges Three through Seven

involving the “failure to cooperate” violations and concur that respondent committed two

violations of Rule 2.16(A). We further accept the Board’s conclusion that, as a result of

the Rule 2.16(A) violations, respondent likewise committed a concurrent violation of Rule

1.1 as alleged in Charge One. See Ferguson, 242 W. Va. at 699, 841 S.E.2d at 895 (“[B]y

providing false information to the JDC during his sworn statement, the respondent also

violated Rule 1.1.”). Finally, we likewise agree with the Board’s finding that respondent

committed no Rule 1.3 violation as set forth in Charge Eight. 20

       20
         As to this charge, SJDC offers little more than conclusory argument that
respondent attempted to “abuse the prestige of judicial office” to “force” the termination
(continued . . .)
                                            24
B.     CHARGE TWO: FAILURE TO PROMOTE CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY

              As discussed above, the Court defers to and agrees with the Board’s

credibility and factual determinations at the core of its recommended decision. However,

as pertains to Charge Two, we disagree with the Board’s conclusion that respondent’s

misconduct did not impact public confidence in the judiciary in violation of Rule 1.2, which

requires a judge to “act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the

independence,* integrity,* and impartiality* of the judiciary” and “avoid impropriety and

the appearance of impropriety.” The Board concluded that respondent’s conduct did not

implicate public confidence in the judiciary because it was not “in furtherance” or “in []

performance of” her judicial duties, but rather related to an issue insular to the family court

judiciary and of no real interest or consequence to the public. We disagree.

              In this instance, it is not the underlying subject matter of the misconduct that

is determinative of whether public confidence is impacted, but the nature of the misconduct

itself. Here, respondent was found to be serially less than candid with disciplinary

authorities—once while under oath.         This misconduct strikes at the very heart of

respondent’s expectations of litigants and attorneys who appear before her—that they will

of JDC; SJDC seems to suggest that demanding JDC’s recusal was an extension of that
plot. Respondent maintains she was simply communicating with an arm of her employer
and that neither the Court, the Commission, nor JDC would be particularly pressured by
the “prestige” of her position as a family court judge—with whom these entities regularly
(and almost exclusively) deal and oversee. The Board found—and we agree—that
respondent was merely expressing concern about JDC’s impartiality and therefore
committed no Rule 1.3 violation.
                                              25
be truthful and candid in adherence to their oath and in deference to her authority over the

proceedings. The Court has previously acknowledged that

              “[t]he public at large is entitled to honesty and integrity in
              judicial officials elected to mete out justice, apportion equity,
              and adjudicate disputes. We cannot ask for more, but we
              should certainly not expect less, particularly when it is the
              robed arbiter who, when administering the oath to witnesses,
              cautions them to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
              the truth.”

In re Callaghan, 238 W. Va. 495, 512, 796 S.E.2d 604, 621 (2017) (quoting In re Lowery,

999 S.W.2d 639, 663 (Tex. Rev. Trib. 1998)).

              It is of no moment then that the general public may be uninterested in or

unaware of the minutiae of the Stotler or Moats letters or respondent’s involvement with

them; it is her lack of candor—while under oath and to those charged with policing the

judiciary—that unquestionably erodes public confidence in the judiciary at large. The

Court has observed that the public has a rightful expectation of scrupulous honesty from

its judiciary—in both fact and appearance:

              Citizens judge the law by what they see and hear in courts, and
              by the character and manners of judges and lawyers. “The law
              should provide an exemplar of correct behavior. When the
              judge presides in court, he personifies the law . . . .” Hence, a
              judge must be more than independent and honest; equally
              important, a judge must be perceived by the public to be
              independent and honest. Not only must justice be done, it also
              must appear to be done.

In re Watkins, 233 W. Va. 170, 182, 757 S.E.2d 594, 606 (2013) (footnote omitted)

(quoting, in part, In re Ross, 428 A.2d 858, 866 (Me. 1981)). Were the Court to find

                                             26
respondent’s conduct immaterial to the public’s confidence in the judiciary, we would

render the requirement that judges demonstrate “integrity” a “meaningless ethical

talisman.” Callaghan, 238 W. Va. at 512, 796 S.E.2d at 621.

              The Court therefore finds by clear and convincing evidence that, in addition

to the three violations found by the Board, respondent committed a violation of Rule 1.2

as alleged in Charge Two of the statement of charges.

C.     DISCIPLINE

              Mindful that “[t]he purpose of judicial disciplinary proceedings is the

preservation and enhancement of public confidence in the honor, integrity, dignity, and

efficiency of the members of the judiciary and the system of justice[,]” we turn now to the

Board’s recommended discipline. Syl., In re Gorby, 176 W. Va. 16, 339 S.E.2d 702

(1985).

                      Under Rule 4.12 of the Rules of Judicial Disciplinary
              Procedure [1998] the Judicial Hearing Board may recommend,
              or this Court may impose, one or more of the following
              sanctions for each violation by a justice, judge, or magistrate
              of the Code of Judicial Conduct: (1) admonishment; (2)
              reprimand; (3) censure; (4) suspension without pay for up to
              one year; (5) a fine of up to $5,000; or (6) involuntary
              retirement in limited circumstances. Additionally, this Court
              can assess the cost of the disciplinary proceedings against a
              justice, judge, or magistrate.

Watkins, 233 W. Va. at 170, 757 S.E.2d at 594, syl. pt. 6; see also W. Va. R. Jud.

Disciplinary P. 4.12.

                                            27
              As previously indicated, the Board recommended that respondent be

reprimanded and required to pay the costs of these proceedings. Rule 4.12 explains that

“[a] reprimand constitutes a severe reproof to a judge who has engaged in conduct which

violated the Code of Judicial Conduct.” SJDC objects, claiming that “anything short of a

term ending suspension” would undermine “the entire judicial discipline process by

diminishing the obligation of judges to be truthful in the face of an investigation.” SJDC

argues that respondent and Stotler’s conduct was motivated by a concerted effort to protect

their “perceived powers as family courts judges” and that because of her conduct,

respondent is “unfit to sit in judgment of others.” 21 Respondent offers little to no argument

as to the appropriate discipline, arguing instead that she committed no violations in the first

instance.

              The fashioning of judicial discipline “must be premised upon the unique facts

of each individual case.” Callaghan, 238 W. Va. at 523, 796 S.E.2d at 632. Moreover,

“‘[a]ny sanction must be designed to announce publicly our recognition that there has been

       21
          In support of its request for suspension, SJDC’s brief is replete with inflammatory
language about the accusations laid out against JDC in the Stotler letter and respondent’s
“role in [its] creation[.]” Far afield of the charged violations in this case, SJDC belabors
the “reckless” allegations contained therein and chastises respondent and Stotler for their
“[p]ublic shaming” and “bully[ing] and berat[ing] two life-long public servants[.]”
However, we are careful to note that respondent was not charged with any judicial code
violations relative to the content of the Stotler letter—nor was Stotler himself ultimately
disciplined for any such content. The violations to which Stotler and JDC jointly stipulated
pertained solely to his transmission of the letter during the pendency of the Goldston
matter. Similarly, respondent’s charges pertain nearly exclusively to misrepresentations to
disciplinary authorities about her proofreading efforts.
                                              28
misconduct; it must be sufficient to deter the individual being sanctioned from again

engaging in such conduct and to prevent others from engaging in similar misconduct in the

future.’” Id. at 528, 796 S.E.2d at 637 (quoting Comm. on Legal Ethics of the W. Va. State

Bar v. Karl, 192 W. Va. 23, 34, 449 S.E.2d 277, 288 (1994)). With specific regard to

suspension of a judicial officer, we have held that the following non-inclusive factors

provide guidance:

              (1) whether the charges of misconduct are directly related to
              the administration of justice or the public’s perception of the
              administration of justice, (2) whether the circumstances
              underlying the charges of misconduct are entirely personal in
              nature or whether they relate to the judicial officer’s public
              persona, (3) whether the charges of misconduct involve
              violence or a callous disregard for our system of justice, (4)
              whether the judicial officer has been criminally indicted, and
              (5) any mitigating or compounding factors which might exist.

Syl. Pt. 3, in part, In re Cruickshanks, 220 W. Va. 513, 648 S.E.2d 19 (2007).

              As to the first factor, respondent’s misconduct quite plainly bears on the

public’s perception of the administration of justice, as explained above. Id. As to whether

the underlying circumstances are personal or relate to respondent’s public persona, it is this

factor where the Board’s distinction between the misconduct and the performance of

respondent’s judicial duties gains some traction. Id. While not “entirely personal” in

nature, the underlying circumstances are somewhat peripheral to respondent’s public-

facing judicial role and attendant duties. Id. Moreover, as to the third factor, certainly

candor and cooperation with disciplinary authorities are imperative for judicial officers for

the reasons identified above.     However—in the context of the appropriateness of a

                                             29
suspension—we do not find the underlying circumstances on the whole egregious enough

to demonstrate a “callous disregard” for our system of justice that is correlative to

“violence,” as referenced in that factor. Id.

              Finally, as to aggravation and mitigation, SJDC takes no issue with the

mitigating factors found by the Board, including respondent’s lack of prior disciplinary

record and the character evidence offered on her behalf. Rather, SJDC suggests that the

Board overlooked several aggravating factors including absence of remorse, multiple

current violations, and belabors respondent’s continued lack of candor in defense to the

charges. However, the Board expressly noted “the violations themselves” as aggravating

factors and SJDC offers little as to respondent’s remorse either way, focusing instead on

respondent’s defense that she was not untruthful in her statements. 22

              While recognizing that judicial disciplinary cases are “rarely apples to

apples,” we find that SJDC fails to provide comparative support for its demand for

suspension. Williams, 248 W. Va. at 129, 887 S.E.2d at 254. The disciplinary proceedings

cited by SJDC in support of its request, in large part, involve lawyers who were not candid

       22
          While the Court has previously found refusal to admit wrongdoing aggravating,
we have considered and rejected respondent’s insistence that she did not knowingly
misrepresent her involvement with the Stotler letter in finding that she committed the
violations at issue. Therefore, her defense to the charges—largely an issue of credibility
rather than undisputed evidence—is somewhat part and parcel of the violations themselves,
and we decline to use it doubly against her as aggravation under the facts and circumstances
of this case.
                                                30
with tribunals along with a number of other serious violations directly involving their

representation of clients.

              Our own review of judicial suspensions involving Rule 2.16(A) violations

reveal that any Rule 2.16(A) violation proven in those cases was collateral to serious

underlying misconduct reflecting overt abuse of judicial office. See, e.g., Ferguson, 242

W. Va. at 700, 841 S.E.2d at 896 (suspending magistrate for ninety days upon finding of

six violations for “belligerent[] and coercive” behavior with DNR officers investigating

fishing violations and attempting to use judicial status for favorable treatment); Williams,

248 W. Va. at 129, 887 S.E.2d at 254 (suspending judge for six months upon finding of

nine violations for behaving in a “coercive and retaliatory” manner involving traffic stop).

              Judicial suspensions not involving Rule 2.16(A) violations have historically

involved pervasive and grave misconduct that victimized others. See, e.g., Callaghan, 238

W. Va. at 527, 796 S.E.2d at 636 (suspending judge for two years for “directly and

methodically target[ing] an opponent with fabricated material and disseminat[ing] it to the

electorate[]”); In re Wilfong, 234 W. Va. 394, 397, 765 S.E.2d 283, 286 (2014) (suspending

judge for two years for extramarital affair with probation officer where she “intertwined

the affair with her judicial office” and involved “staff, courthouse employees, the

prosecuting attorney’s office, and local lawyers in concealing the affair[]”); In re Toler,

218 W. Va. 653, 660, 625 S.E.2d 731, 738 (2005) (suspending judge for four years for

separate acts of sexual misconduct against four women while performing official duties);

                                            31
Watkins, 233 W. Va. at 183, 757 S.E.2d at 607 (suspending judge until end of term for

twenty-four charges of, among other violations, using “profanity and threats” against

litigants); In re Riffle, 210 W. Va. 591, 592, 558 S.E.2d 590, 591 (2001) (suspending

magistrate for one year upon conviction of workers’ compensation fraud and false reports

to Department of Public Safety).

             In determining the appropriate sanction for respondent’s misconduct, we

observe that Stotler himself was reprimanded—a sanction jointly recommended by JDC

upon Stotler’s stipulation to violations of Rules 1.1, 1.2 and 2.10. 23 And while the

underlying charged conduct of Stotler and respondent differ in character, the inescapable

connection between their respective misconduct—as it relates to their involvement with

the Stotler letter—makes the suspension and other sanctions requested by SJDC

unacceptably disproportionate to the discipline of Stotler. “[T]his Court is ever mindful

that we discipline a judge not for purposes of punishment, vengeance or retribution, but to

instruct the public and all judges, ourselves included, of the importance of the function

performed by judges in a free society.” Wilfong, 234 W. Va. at 411, 765 S.E.2d at 300.

       23
         The Court recognizes that Stotler was charged with additional violations which
were not pursued by agreement and that he offered his resignation for medical reasons
during the pendency of the underlying proceedings.
                                            32
             In consideration of the nature and underlying circumstances of the violations

found herein, we find the Board’s recommended sanction of reprimand and payment of

costs to be adequate to address respondent’s misconduct.

                                 IV. CONCLUSION

             This Court imposes the following discipline upon respondent:

             1.     Respondent is reprimanded for violation of Rules 1.1 and 1.2 and two

violations of Rule 2.16(A) of the West Virginia Code of Judicial Conduct.

             2.     Respondent is ordered to pay all costs associated these proceedings.

             The Clerk of this Court is ordered to issue the mandate forthwith.

                                                 Reprimand and other sanctions ordered.

                                           33