Federal investigators seek documents from 2 of W.Va. Gov. Joe Manchin’s Cabinet agencies

Feds seek documents from 2 of W.Va. gov’s agencies

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Federal investigators have requested documents and information from two Cabinet agencies under West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin, though the Democrat’s office said Friday that neither subpoena targeted the governor.

Documents were requested from the Department of Administration and the Division of Highways, said Dwane Tinsley, a Charleston lawyer who has been appointed as a special assistant attorney general to represent the agencies.

Tinsley said the subpoenas did not name any individuals or request testimony. His appointment was first reported by The Charleston Gazette.

Manchin is nearly halfway through his second term as governor. The 62-year-old centrist is also considered the front-runner in a special election for the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Robert C. Byrd. The primary is Aug. 28.

“The state has not been informed that Governor Manchin or any other state employee is under investigation,” according to a statement from his office. “The governor has directed state officials to fully cooperate and comply expeditiously.”

Neither that statement nor an earlier one from Manchin spokesman Melvin Smith said what documents had been subpoenaed, and federal prosecutors declined comment.

“They’ve asked state officials not to discuss any details of the request publicly at this time,” Smith said. “State officials were informed that any disclosure could endanger or impede any investigation.”

Both the state GOP and the National Republican Senatorial Committee touted word of the federal investigation via e-mail and Twitter on Friday.