Drennen v. Department of Health

Caplan, Chief Justice:

This is an appeal by Barbara Sue Drennen from a ruling by a majority of the Civil Service Commission, wherein it was held that “while a memorandum from former gubernatorial assistant, Jack . Pauley, could be interpreted as an effort at political influence in favor of Cheryl Gregory, the actual hiring decision of Cheryl Gregory instead of Barbara Sue Drennen was based upon merit.” We disagree with such ruling and reverse.

Barbara Sue Drennen, a life-time resident of Nicholas County and a recent graduate in accounting from West Virginia Institute of Technology, expressed an…