Judge With Stock Ties to Asbestos Defendants Disqualified from Hearing Cases

CHARLESTON, W.Va. - A West Virginia judge overseeing asbestos cases involving several companies for which he holds equity positions has been disqualified from hearing them by a state Supreme Court justice. Re: Assignment of the Honorable Arthur M. Recht, et al., No. n/a (W.Va. Sup. Ct. App.)

Acting Supreme Court of Appeals Justice Larry Starcher issued an administrative order July 9, relieving Judge Martin J. Gaughan of his asbestos-related duties, noting that he has 'determined that the matters set forth ... are sufficient to warrant such disqualification to avoid even an appearance of impropriety.'

Judge Gaughan reportedly owns stock worth …