On Thursday, May 11, 2023, the Supreme Court of Appeals in West Virginia ordered the suspension of attorney Keith L. Wheaton after being held in contempt for his failure to comply with the auditing requirements set forth by the court.
The case is entitled “Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel vs. Keith L. Wheaton,” with case no. 23-187.
On April 3, 2023, the Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel filed a petition for a rule to show cause against the respondent as to why he should not be held in contempt and the same to not be suspended. The respondent did not file any response. On April 20, 2023, the court then issued a rule to show cause in contempt, to which the respondent presented himself to an oral argument the same day.
The court then held its decision upon the recommendation of the Office of Lawyer Disciplinary Counsel to hold the respondent in contempt for his failure to comply with the court’s order and suspend his license to practice law in West Virginia until he has demonstrated full compliance with the same.
The Disposition state:
“It is ORDERED that Keith L. Wheaton’s license to practice law in the State of West Virginia is immediately suspended.
“It is ORDERED that Keith L. Wheaton will purge himself of the contempt once he has demonstrated full compliance with the Court’s June 14, 2021, mandate by providing the first annual audit of all accounts associated with his practice by a certified public accountant from the time of his reinstatement to the practice of law through June 30, 2022. The remaining required audits are due June 30, 2023, and June 30, 2024.”
Attorney Wheaton attended West Virginia University, graduating in 1992. He practices in Martinsburg, West Virginia. He is licensed in West Virginia. His info can be found on lawyer.com.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
