State Senator Mike Maroney is stripped of duties after he ‘exposed himself in casino’ in sick act caught on surveillance
WEST Virginia Senator Mike Maroney has been stripped of his duties after he was caught on security footage exposing himself at a casino.
The state senator was arrested on Tuesday for indecent exposure and disorderly conduct after employees at the gaming establishment called the cops on him last week.
Maroney was allegedly performing a sexual act in the West Virginia establishment's gaming room on August 4, investigators said.
Marshall County Prosecutor Joe Canestraro told MetroNews Talkline podcast on Wednesday that the senator was in the room alone.
“At around 12:30 pm, Glen Dale police received a call from two female employees of a local gaming establishment of a male in the video lottery room sexually gratifying himself,” Canestraro said.
When police arrived, they reportedly found Maroney in the gaming room and asked him to leave.
READ MORE CRIME
Over a week later, Maroney was arrested without incident.
State Senate President Craig Blair shared his disappointment in Maroney in a statement hours after the arrest.
"Above all, I am deeply concerned for our friend and colleague, Senator Mike Maroney," Blair said.
"The facts that have emerged are troubling, and I am disappointed. However, in this time, our primary focus is on the well-being of Senator Maroney."
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He announced that Maroney was removed as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources and "relieved of all other committee responsibilities."
"Like all citizens, Senator Maroney is entitled to full due process as this matter works its way through the legal system," Blair added.
"While the charges are still under investigation, if true, this allegation is obviously not up to the standard of what we expect from our elected leaders in the State Senate of West Virginia."
Maroney faces two misdemeanor charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct.
He posted a $3,500 bond hours after his arrest.
State Senate President Craig Blair's full statement
State Senate President Craig Blair shared a statement expressing disappointment in the charges against State Senator Mike Maroney.
"Above all, I am deeply concerned for our friend and colleague, Senator Mike Maroney," Blair said in the statement.
"The facts that have emerged are troubling, and I am disappointed.
"However, in this time, our primary focus is on the well-being of Senator Maroney.
"To give him appropriate time to dedicate to his personal issues, I have removed him as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Health and Human Resources and have relieved him of all other committee responsibilities.
"Like all citizens, Senator Maroney is entitled to full due process as this matter works its way through the legal system.
"We join in prayer for our friend Mike and his family as he deals with these issues.
"While the charges are still under investigation, if true, this allegation is obviously not up to the standard of what we expect from our elected leaders in the State Senate of West Virginia."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Maroney for comment.
The Republican, who is also a certified radiologist, was first elected to his state senate seat in 2016 and reelected in 2020.
REPLACEMENT SPEAKS OUT
He is currently serving out the end of his term after he was defeated in the May primary by Senator-Elect Chris Rose, who shared a statement about Maroney's arrest on X.
"I have been asked by many to comment on the most recent allegations facing Mike Maroney," Rose wrote on Wednesday morning.
"While Mike and I do not always agree politically, I feel it is best to let our law enforcement professionals do their job and the judicial process play out completely.
"I know many of us pray for Mike and hope he can get the help he needs. Please join me in lifting him and his family up in prayer."
PREVIOUS CHARGES
The criminal charges are the second time Maroney has been in hot water since serving in the Senate.
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In 2019, he was arrested and arraigned on a misdemeanor charge involving soliciting prostitution.
However, the charge was dropped in 2021 due to a lack of evidence.