Lincoln County Assessor Indicted for Vote-Buying

A federal grand jury has indicted Lincoln County Assessor Jerry Weaver for buying votes in several elections. The Charleston Gazette has reported previously that a cooperating witness has testified to driving to Weaver's home and receiving from Weaver bags filled with cash and "slates," or lists of candidates endorsed by a particular person or group. Votes are alleged to often be bought for $10 or $20 for a full slate. The money is said to be usually supplied by candidates who buy their way onto a slate.