West Virginia prisons chief had rent-free apartment provided by subcontractor

For at least four years, West Virginia Corrections Commissioner Jim Rubenstein had the use of a rent-free garage apartment provided by a state prison subcontractor, according to an investigative report.

Rubenstein recently signed a deal with Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney Charles Miller’s office to refer the investigation to the state Ethics Commission. In exchange, Miller’s office agreed to end a criminal investigation into Rubenstein’s use of the Kanawha Boulevard apartment.

Rubenstein also has agreed to reimburse the apartment’s owner for back rent.

Terrence Rusin, president and CEO of PsiMed, gave Rubenstein the go-ahead to use the apartment in 2011, according to the report. PsiMed provides mental health services to the state prison system that Rubenstein oversees. The company received more than $7.5 million in state funds during the years Rubenstein had use of the apartment.

- See more at: http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-politics/20161031/wv-prisons-chief-had-rent-free-apartment-provided-by-subcontractor-