CHARLESTON, W.V. – West Virginia State Auditor Mark Hunt today issued the following statement in response to recent partisan allegations concerning a limited contract with State Senator Jay Taylor:
"I am proud of the work my office does every day to protect West Virginia taxpayers, root out fraud, waste, and abuse, and bring greater transparency and accountability to state and local government. Recent claims by the West Virginia Democratic Party appear designed more for political theater than for addressing genuine concerns."
"The facts are clear: Senator Jay Taylor entered into a limited, one-time contract with the Auditor’s Office last year. This engagement lasted only a couple of months, compensated him approximately $5,000, and focused primarily on assisting with our office relocation in Clarksburg and helping clear a backlog of paperwork. It was not full-time employment, nor was it intended to circumvent any laws."
"Prior to entering this agreement, we sought guidance from the West Virginia Ethics Commission to ensure compliance. Senator Taylor has stated publicly that he understood the arrangement had been reviewed with appropriate offices, and he would not have participated if he believed it violated any rules. We take constitutional obligations seriously and reject any suggestion of impropriety or political favoritism."
"West Virginia’s Constitution aims to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain separation of powers — principles this office fully supports. This was a short-term, task-specific contract for legitimate operational needs, not a 'lucrative office' or ongoing employment. Senator Taylor’s work provided valuable insights into how local governments report financial information, which aligns with broader goals of improving transparency across all levels of government. Taylor was a temporary contractor who was issued a Form 1099, he did not earn annual or sick leave, and was not offered health insurance or any other state employee benefits."
“Taylor’s limited, one-time contract ended prior to the 2026 Regular Session of the Legislature, during which he co-sponsored Senate Bill 929 on his own initiative and without a request from the State Auditor’s Office. Neither the introduced version of SB929, nor the revised committee substitute reported by the Senate Education Committee, expanded the powers of the Auditor’s Office, as has been erroneously reported in recent days. Rather, the introduced version of SB929 merely called for the Auditor’s Office to ‘issue a notice of noncompliance’ to any county board of education that ‘fails to provide a copy of its published [financial] statement within 90 days after the end of the fiscal year.’ Moreover, the Committee Substitute for SB929 revised the bill as to the duties and powers of the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education Accountability, along with a single passage clearly setting forth that ‘[n]othing in this section may be construed to grant the State Auditor authority over educational policy, curriculum, or personnel decisions.’ This passage contained the only mention of the State Auditor’s Office in the version of SB929 which passed the Senate and later died in the House Education Committee.”
“We will not be distracted by partisan attacks from those who seek to undermine our efforts to reform and strengthen West Virginia’s financial stewardship. The Auditor’s Office will continue operating with integrity, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to the people of this state."

‹ Back to List