West Virginia magistrate resigns over education

HARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The Latest on the resignation of a West Virginia magistrate (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

A West Virginia magistrate has resigned after it was discovered that she never finished high school.

A spokeswoman for the Supreme Court of Appeals shared a copy of former Ohio County Magistrate Janine Varner's one-sentence resignation letter with news outlets Thursday afternoon.

The state Supreme Court of Appeals suspended her without pay on Wednesday but did not give a reason other than saying she was violating the judicial code of conduct.

Varner's attorney, Teresa C. Toriseva, on Thursday issued a statement to The Associated Press saying Varner would take a GED test to clear up any questions. She added that while Varner didn't graduate high school, she instead completed a vocational program.

Varner was appointed as magistrate last month after her predecessor was sentenced to four months in prison for tax fraud.

Read more: https://www.wvnews.com/newsfeed/wv/the-latest-wva-magistrate-resigns-over-education/article_32bcdc4f-06be-56e6-8f0c-df51a9e68f96.html