Senate Ethics Committee Accuses Sen. Robert Ford of Violations

The Associated Press is reporting that Sen. Robert Ford is facing ethics charges after an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee.

The Charleston Democrat, who represents District 42, has seven accusations that say he used campaign donations for personal expenses, misrepresented expenses as campaign-related, and failed to report numerous expenses and donations. The time period in question is from July 2009 to the present.

Ford did not respond to requests for comment and Senate Democratic spokesman Phil Bailey told Patch he could not comment. Ford has 15 days to respond to the committee..

Ford has served in the Senate since 1993. If the 10-member Ethics Committee finds he broke ethics laws, Ford could face $2,000 fine per violation. The committee has an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.

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