at that time, and would be well into his 80s by the time a new term expired, but he has not yet announced his plans. Because all circuit judges will also be up for re-election in 2024, none can seek a seat on the Supreme Court without forgoing a re-election attempt for their current judgeships. 2017–2018 expenses scandal and impeachment proceedings In late 2017, WCHS-TV and other media outlets began reporting on spending by the court. Eventually, an ongoing investigation by the office of the United States Attorney for the Southern District of West Virginia was launched, and the court was audited by the state's legislative auditor. The charges of rampant corruption led to calls for the impeachment of Loughry and any other member of the court found to be involved. On July 11, 2018, Justice Ketchum resigned from the court. On July 31, 2018, he entered a guilty plea in the United States District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia in Charleston to one count of wire fraud. Justice Loughry was convicted in the same court on October 12, 2018 of seven counts of wire fraud, two counts of lying to federal investigators and one count each of mail fraud and witness tampering. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced on January 16, 2019, however, those proceedings are currently on hold. On August 13, 2018, the full House of Delegates impeached the four remaining members of the court. On August 14, 2018, Justice Davis retired, effective August 13, 2018. The West Virginia Senate, however, refused to dismiss the articles of impeachment against Davis and scheduled her for trial along with the other justices. In the first of the four impeachment trials, the Senate, in a 32-1-1 vote on October 2, 2018, decided not to remove Justice Walker from office. The Senate followed by agreeing, by voice vote, to publicly "reprimand and censure" Justice Walker for her actions in the scandal. The remaining justices were scheduled to tried separately in October and November 2018. Rather than face trial, Justice Workman sued the Legislature before a reconstituted Supreme Court, which ruled in her favor on technical grounds. Notes References External links Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia homepage Supreme Court of Appeals - Opinions homepage Supreme Court of Appeals - Court Calendar and Docket homepage 1863 establishments in West Virginia Courts and tribunals established in 1863