WV Democratic Party calls for immediate investigation of Auditor Mark Hunt

The West Virginia Democratic Party is calling an immediate investigation into the actions of State Auditor Mark Hunt after he signed documents that state law.

A West Virginia Watch investigation published Sunday found that Hunt, elected in 2024, personally signed nine tax deeds between March and June 2025.

State law governing the sale of delinquent tax properties, meaning properties lost because the owner didn’t pay their taxes, states that the deputy land commissioner — not the auditor — is supposed to sign those deeds. 

On Monday, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Mike Pushkin said an independent investigation should be launched into Hunt’s activities.

“The State Auditor’s Office handles approximately 17,000 property deeds a year. Mark Hunt personally signed nine of them, and every single one benefited a company connected to his longtime friend and employee, whose wife also contributed to his political campaigns,” said Pushkin in a news release. “ … That raises an obvious question: Why did Mark Hunt single out these nine deeds for his personal attention?” 

Pushkin said the allegations demand action from Gov. Patrick Morrisey.

“Has Gov. Morrisey directed anyone in his administration to examine these allegations? Has he requested an independent investigation? If not, why not? Does his commitment to rooting out government corruption end when the questions involve a fellow Republican?” Pushkin questioned. 

He also called for reaction from Attorney General JB McCuskey, House Speaker Roger Hanshaw and Senate President Randy Smith.

Hunt defended his signature on the documents, saying that his role as auditor gives him the authority to sign them.  

“The deputy commissioner works under and through me and through my authority,” Hunt told West Virginia Watch last week. “It would be foolish to think that the commissioner’s boss couldn’t sign the same deed, or any other matter in the office … I can sign whatever I need to sign to make the office work.” 

Hunt also pointed to a different piece of state code to support the practice he said he only did for Robert L. Johns.

Pushkin called for an independent review of Hunt’s handling of delinquent property tax transactions, his office’s relationships with private purchasers of tax-delinquent property, and any potential conflicts of interest involving employees, contractors and political contributors.

On social media, Del. Tristan Leavitt, R-Kanawha, said that Hunt “ignored state code to provide a significant financial benefit to his associate.”

“That is a clear violation of the law. Based on this evidence alone, Mark Hunt should resign immediately,” Leavitt posted Sunday on X.

In late October, Brad McElhinny of WV MetroNews reported that the Auditor’s Office was served a federal grand jury subpoena. Hunt said no one has talked to him about the federal probe and provided no further comment. 

Hunt previously served in the state Senate from 2022 to 2024.