MORGANTOWN, W,Va. — After eight years as auditor, J.B. McCuskey is prepared to transfer those skills to continue helping counties and municipalities across the state.
On WAJR’s “Talk of the Town,” McCuskey said he’s very much accustomed to working with local government units. His efforts to establish WVCheckbook.gov and work with the Public Integrity and Fraud Unit that conducted 200 investigations while uncovering more than $2.5 million in fraud.
“The Attorney General has an incredible role in helping to advise them on the legality of their actions,” McCuskey said. “And giving them great legal advice when they need it on how to proceed on the objectives local governments have.”
He plans to travel to municipalities across the state over 30 days to meet elected leaders and get them familiar with his team. The associations made and knowledge gathered will help him better serve those government units during his term.
“I want them to meet the team of people we have here and understand the kinds of problems we can help them solve,” McCuskey said. “And hear what their plans and goals are so we can tailor our office to be a great resource for them.”
When asked about his ability to help the governor find fraud, waste, and abuse in government, he reflected on his two terms as auditor and the previous work of the Public Integrity and Fraud Unit. As auditor, McCuskey encouraged the use of the Purchasing Card, a streamlined purchasing system that earns rebates. Those rebates totaled $41 million during his time as auditor.
“I’m very hopeful that I’ll be able to bring that perspective and knowledge to the governor as the attorney general to help him in his quest to both make West Virginia more efficient and a more effective government.”
Currently, McCuskey is leading the effort of 22 other attorneys general against the New York Climate Superfund Act. The law seeks to punish energy producers for greenhouse gases emitted between 2000 and 2018.
“Which is remarkable when you consider the people that passed this law are sitting in skyscrapers in Manhattan that were built with the very steel that was made with the coal they are trying to fine,” McCuskey said.
The Act could compel major fossil fuel companies to pay $75 billion into the state “climate superfund” based on past emissions. In addition to 22 states, other fossil fuel advocates have joined the suit filed in the Northern District of New York Albany Court Division that lists New York Attorney General Letitia James, Interim Commissioner of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Sean Mahar, and Acting Tax Commissioner Amanda Hiller as defendants.
“They understand how dangerous New York’s law is because if this is allowed to stand, there will be copycat laws like this all over the country,” McCuskey said. “And the $75 billion will turn into $550 billion, and our energy companies won’t be able to survive.”