W.Va. Democrats Urge AG Opinion on Auditor Deeds

West Virginia Democratic lawmakers are asking House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and Senate President Randy Smith to seek an attorney general’s opinion on State Auditor Mark Hunt’s personal signing of nine delinquent property tax deeds for a company linked to a longtime friend and former office employee. They want clarification on whether Hunt had authority to sign the deeds, whether they could be executed after the statutory deadline, and what remedies may be available to affected property owners. Hunt has said he acted to address delays and avoid lawsuits, and that he would have done the same for anyone. Senate leadership says it is evaluating the request; the attorney general’s office says such opinions are nonbinding and would not themselves launch an investigation.