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Assistant state schools superintendent G. A. McClung has resigned after questions
regarding his issuing a $2.3 million contract to a friend, Phillip "Pork Chop" Booth,
following devastating flooding in West Virginia that destroyed and damaged public
schools.
McClung, a former Ritchie County superintendent, was asked to step down by state
schools Superintendent David Stewart, while several different agencies investigate a
furniture contract approved by McClung.
Booth reportedly charged more than usual prices for furniture and equipment
delivered to flood stricken counties, after the bidding process was suspended. "It
was like a license to steal," said David Sneed of the School Building Authority. Booth
has reportedly faced numerous charges in the past regarding "shaky deals and stock
scams," according to Charleston newspapers.
An investigation is also underway regarding an $11 million dollar contract for
clean-up.
McClung joins a number of other state school officials who have either quit or been
fired, including State Board of Education President J. D. Morris, who is facing charges
of stealing $172,000 from the Clay County Bank, where he was president for many
years.
See earlier Hur Herald story.
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