Published: February 18, 2009 11:38 pm      

Suspended attorney charged with felonies

Former Hampshire commissioner Cookman allegedly embezzled funds

ROMNEY, W.Va. — Suspended Romney attorney Donald Paul Cookman, who is also a former Hampshire County commissioner, has been charged with three counts of embezzlement and four counts of forgery following a five-week investigation by West Virginia State Police.

The felony charges stem from allegations by Cookman’s clients that he had embezzled funds from them and that he forged legal signatures at various times, including the signature of Mineral County Circuit Court Judge Andrew Frye on two occasions.

Cookman turned himself in Monday for charging on warrants issued by Magistrate Don Sharp of Berkeley Springs.

Following the arraignment, Cookman was released on his personal recognizance, pending a preliminary hearing.

Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney Ralph Lorenzetti has been appointed as special prosecutor in the case.

The State Office of Disciplinary Counsel has asked the West Virginia Supreme Court for the disbarment of Cookman by consent.

The request was reportedly made from a statement of five charges Oct. 27, according to Supreme Court media contact Jennifer Bundy.

Cookman’s license was suspended for one year, according to an order issued Sept. 25 by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals.