Attorney R. Booth Goodwin II of the law firm Goodwin & Goodwin of Charleston appeared before the Wood County Commission on Monday to discuss their role in investigating allegations against Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The law firm who will be looking into the allegations against Wood County Sheriff Steve Stephens intends to do an independent and thorough investigation.

Representatives of Goodwin & Goodwin LLP of Charleston appeared before the commission Monday to discuss what is expected of their work.

Lead attorney R. Booth Goodwin II, the former United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia, brought along his entire team who will be working on this case, including attorney Ben Ware; retired West Virginia State Police Lt. Col. Tim Bradley; and attorneys Stephanie Daly and Lucas White.

“Each brings a different facet and skill set to this team,” Goodwin said. “Our goal is to move rapidly and move in a way that will get you answers as soon as possible.

“We greatly appreciate the confidence you placed in us and we will certainly not let you down.”

The team will be investigating allegations brought against Stephens and will determine if the matter rises to the level of a recommendation of removal of office. If so, the team would prosecute the case before a three-judge panel convened for that purpose.

Stephens was named in a lawsuit from a former deputy, Della Matheny, as well as had accusations from Deputy Tasha Hewitt, both alleging misconduct and inappropriate behavior towards them.

The Wood County Deputy Sheriff’s Association also recently sent a letter to the sheriff and the commission informing them of a vote of no confidence in his leadership.

Stephens appeared before the commission last Thursday and told the commission he would do the same thing they were doing if he was in their position.

Goodwin laid out what he believed was expected of them.

“The charge is to show no favoritism, bias and to do an entirely independent thorough investigation of the allegations that have been presented to the commission,” he said. “We will get to the bottom of things, report to you and let the chips fall where they may.

“You all want to know the facts. You don’t want any varnish to them and that is what we are going to get to and what we are going to determine.”

If the evidence calls for Stephens’ removal, the firm would help the commission craft the resolution complaint that would serve as the charging documents for removal and the firm would then prosecute the case, Goodwin said.

“We are ready and willing and able to undertake this assignment with vigor without bias and with the utmost integrity,” he said.

Commission President Blair Couch said they would make any necessary resources available to the team for them to conduct their work, including making documents available that have not yet been made public to help determine people they will need to interview.

Last week, Stephens, when asked, said he was familiar with Goodwin but had no connection to him.

Goodwin also stated Monday he may have met Stephens a couple of times, but they have not investigated any cases together in the past.

West Virginia being a relatively small state, it is not uncommon for officials to know who other officials are, he said, but reiterating they have had no real contact in the past.

“We are approaching this in an independent, unbiased and rigorous way,” Goodwin said.

Couch said Goodwin’s reputation as a former federal prosecutor will help determine if the evidence would support removal or not.

“The decision we approach is not taken lightly,” he said.

Stephens was elected twice by the residents of Wood County and the evidence would have to be great to consider removal, Couch said.

“We won’t let you down,” Goodwin replied.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com