Figure in Mingo County Probe Sues Ex-officials

A figure in the federal Mingo County corruption probe is suing several former county officials and others.

George White's lawsuit claims the defendants violated his constitutional rights and damaged his reputation.

Reports indicate that White filed the lawsuit recently in Mingo County Circuit Court. The defendants include former Circuit Judge Michael Thornsbury, former County Commissioner David Baisden and former prosecutor Michael Sparks.

Sparks and Thornsbury pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges regarding depriving White of his constitutional rights. Baisden pleaded guilty in an unrelated extortion case.

Federal prosecutors say Sparks, Thornsbury and Baisden cooked up a scheme to keep White from talking to the FBI about selling pills to the late Sheriff Eugene Crum.