W. Va. Mayor Pleads Guilty, Agrees to Quit

Mayor Mike Roark pleaded guilty Tuesday to six misdemeanor counts of cocaine possession and agreed to resign as part of a plea bargain reached in his drug and obstruction of justice trial.

“I’d just briefly like to apologize to the citizens of Charleston for the embarrassment they’ve suffered,” said Roark, a former prosecutor once known as “Mad Dog” for his pursuit of drug dealers.

“I don’t think the city should suffer for my transgressions,” the second-term Republican said. “I am deeply and sincerely sorry.”

Roark’s plea came just minutes before jury selection was to enter its second day. He had pleaded not guilty to 27 counts of cocaine conspiracy, possession and distribution and three counts of conspiracy to obstruct justice. Under the plea agreement, the remaining 24 charges will be dropped.

Could Get 6 Years in Prison

Roark, 42, faces up to six years in prison and $30,000 in fines. Sentencing has not been set, and U.S. Atty. Mike Carey said he will make no recommendation on the penalty.

The City Council, with 13 Republicans and 13 Democrats, will elect a new mayor to serve the remaining three years and five months of Roark’s term when he steps down by next Tuesday. Roark had been reelected on April 20.

The six charges against Roark accused him of possessing cocaine before a concert, in the parking lot outside a high school, on a white-water rafting trip and on three other occasions.

Could Lose Law Licence

The mayor avoided automatic suspension of his law license by pleading guilty to misdemeanors instead of felonies, said Jack M. Marden, disciplinary counsel for the State Bar. He still could lose his license, Marden said, but it’s “not the automatic thing it would be with a felony.”

Roark is a former Kanawha County prosecutor and one-time assistant U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh, Pa. As a county prosecutor he was known for dressing in camouflage fatigues and strapping on a side arm to participate in drug raids.