TOP STORIES OF 2024: Maroney Closes Out His State Senate Term While Facing Legal Trouble

MARONEY
GLEN DALE — West Virginia Sen. Michael Maroney faced legal issues in 2024 following an arrest in August on charges of disorderly conduct and indecent exposure and another arrest in September on multiple misdemeanor charges, including driving under the influence.
The first arrest stemmed from an alleged incident that occurred on Aug. 4 at the Gumby’s gaming establishment in Glen Dale.
In a complaint filed by Glen Dale Police Chief Ed Vogler, two on-duty Gumby’s employees allegedly observed Maroney, R-Marshall, on surveillance cameras touching himself after he entered the gambling room at the establishment.
According to the complaint, Vogler was dispatched to Gumby’s at approximately 1:06 p.m. on Aug. 4 and found Maroney in the back room, sitting in front of one of the poker machines.
When Vogler advised Maroney that attendants had witnessed him touching himself inappropriately, Maroney allegedly became “defensive” and stated he had not.
Vogler informed Maroney the establishment had “cameras all over” that had recorded him. According to the complaint, Maroney denied the allegation again, finished his game and left the establishment.
After viewing the footage of Maroney in the gaming room, Vogler filed a complaint Aug. 6 and Glen Dale police arrested Maroney the same day. He was released on bond and pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and indecent exposure charges.
Maroney was defeated in the 2024 primary by Monongalia County resident Chris Rose, and his term will end Dec. 31.
Maroney’s first arrest prompted state Senate President Craig Blair to remove Maroney from a committee chairmanship, as well as the rest of his committee responsibilities.
Maroney ran into legal trouble again when he was arrested Sept. 23 on three misdemeanor charges: control of vehicle under the influence, no registration and expired registration.
According to a criminal complaint filed by McMechen Police Chief Robert Shilling in Marshall County Magistrate Court, Shilling observed an SUV driving erratically near Center McMechen Elementary during pickup time that Monday.
Shilling said he approached the SUV and found Maroney driving. Maroney allegedly gave Shilling both an expired registration and proof of insurance from January 2023.
Shilling said Maroney was “uncoordinated and speaking quickly, slurring his words” in the arrest report. Maroney failed several field sobriety tests, according to the complaint, and registered a .000 on a preliminary breath test.
Shilling arrested Maroney on suspicion of DUI-drugs. Maroney pleaded not guilty to all three misdemeanor charges.
A Nov. 13 bond and pretrial hearing for the charges stemming from the August incident at Gumby’s and the September DUI was stayed after Maroney objected to media being present in the courtroom.
Maroney’s defense attorney, Harry Moore, asked for Marshall County Magistrate Zachary Allman’s decision to allow media in the courtroom to be appealed to the circuit court and the proceedings for Wednesday’s hearing be stayed. Allman granted Moore’s appeal.
The case remained stayed until a notice of hearing was added to Maroney’s case file on Dec. 19.