{Charleston, West Virginia}...The state Supreme Court's Judicial Hearing Board has set an August 8th hearing for suspended Kanawha County Magistrate Carol Fouty. Fouty was suspended without pay in April after being charged with ethical misconduct. Fouty is accused of dismissing a ticket on January 30th against Melea Dawn Fisher for simple possession of prescription pills without consulting prosecutors or police. Fisher later was arrested for driving under the influence in Fouty's vehicle after Fouty hired her to be her maid. Fouty is accused of using her influence as a judge to lower Fisher's bail. Fouty admitted in a May 10th reply that she dismissed Fisher's ticket, but denied the other charges. The court will hear arguments concerning Fouty's suspension on June 6th.
