Published: March 12, 2009 11:09 pm      

Disbarred Romney attorney arrested

8th embezzlement charge filed against Donald Cookman

ROMNEY, W.Va. — Recently disbarred Romney attorney Donald Paul Cookman was arrested Wednesday on a charge of embezzlement, marking the eighth case that has been filed against him in the last month in Hampshire County.

Cookman, who is also the former president of the Hampshire County Commission, turned himself in to West Virginia State Police at the Romney detachment and was then arraigned by Hampshire County Magistrate Shirley Timbrook, who set bond at $10,000.

However, Cookman was then released on his personal recognizance at the request of Special Prosecutor Larry Crofford of Charles Town, who is prosecuting the case. Cookman was represented in the hearing by Weirton attorney Fred Risovich II.

The felony charge of embezzlement was filed by Cpl. Joseph Walker of the Martinsburg detachment, who conducted the investigation.

According to the magistrate’s office, eight different cases of embezzlement and forgery have been filed against Cookman since Feb. 13. The cases involved alleged forgery and embezzlement of funds from Cookman’s clients.

Cookman was disbarred by the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals in an order rendered Feb. 26, according to Andrea Hinerman, senior disciplinary counsel for the West Virginia State Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

He is scheduled to appear in a disciplinary hearing before the Supreme Court of Appeals on April 8 concerning his alleged failure to pay back money as previously ordered by the court Sept. 25. The hearing was scheduled prior to the order that disbarred Cookman, according to the Office of Disciplinary Counsel.

Contact Jeffrey Alderton at jlalderton@times-news.com.