BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — The former state Division of Highways equipment division director, named in a federal indictment Tuesday, apparently took his own life Tuesday night sources tell MetroNews.
Family members found the body of Bob Andrew, 77, of Bridgeport, in his vehicle at about 10:30 p.m. at Burnside Car Wash just outside Bridgeport city limits.
Andrew died of a single gunshot wound to the head. There was also a note found at the scene. An autopsy was scheduled to be performed for positive identification, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
Federal prosecutors released information about a multi-count federal indictment late Tuesday afternoon alleging Andrew created a “culture of corruption” at the DOH’s equipment division in Buckhannon, where Andrew served as director for 16 years.
The indictment alleged Andrew ordered state workers to do political work on state time, rigged bids and ordered the illegal sell of surplus vehicles and equipment. The indictment alleges some of that political work took place on state time for the 2011 gubernatorial campaign of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin.
The Tomblin campaign released a statement Tuesday morning:
“The Tomblin campaign paid Bob Andrew for specific services, including signage. It was our understanding he conducted that business on his own time with his own resources, and he was compensated separately from his state salary.”
U.S. Attorney Bill Ihlenfeld has been investigating the DOH’s equipment division for more than two years. Two former workers there, Edward Tuttle and Barry Thompson, have pleaded guilty to a number of federal charges in connection with the probe.