Judge dismisses W. Va., trooper lawsuit

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CHARLESTON, W.Va., Jan. 4 (UPI) -- A West Virginia judge has dismissed a lawsuit by 140 state police troopers that claimed they were promised higher pension benefits when recruited.

Kanawha Circuit Judge Charlie King ruled that the Consolidated Public Retirement Board was allowed to reconsider a November 2002 vote because it never officially finalized the decision to give the troopers pre-1994 benefits, reported the Charleston (W.Va.) Gazette Tuesday.

The board "was wholly within its power and authority to review, reconsider and vacate its earlier action" until it entered a final order, the judge wrote.

The state troopers were cadets hired after March 1994, when a state law took effect increasing the retirement age and decreased pension benefits.

However, the troopers said they should get pre-1994 benefits, because recruiting brochures promised the higher benefits when they signed up.

State Police Sgt. Joe Adams, president of the West Virginia Troopers Association, said his group is discussing a possible appeal.