West Virginia senators: Impeached justice can keep job

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — West Virginia senators have voted to allow impeached Supreme Court Justice Beth Walker to remain in office.

The 32-1 vote Tuesday followed a two-day impeachment trial. One senator was absent. A two-thirds majority was required to remove Walker, whose 12-year term expires in 2028.

Walker was accused of abusing her authority. The charge stated that Walker and other justices failed to control office expenses and maintain policies over matters such as working lunches and the use of state vehicles and office computers at home.

The vote came after two hours of deliberations and exactly five weeks before the general election, when half of the Senate seats are at stake.