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NEW CUMBERLAND — More time is needed before court proceedings against a Hancock County attorney and his wife can continue, officials have explained.
Lawrence Lee Manypenny, 74, and his wife, Constance Carmella Manypenny, 74, had been scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing in Hancock County Magistrate's Court Thursday after being charged with several felony counts that allege they defrauded an 86-year-old Weirton resident.
Ohio County Magistrate Mike Lemon, who was appointed as a special magistrate to hear the case, said after discussion Thursday morning that the defendants had waived their 20-day time period for a preliminary hearing.
"Now it's up to the court, the state and the defense to come up with a new court date that fits everybody's schedules," Lemon explained. Brooke County Prosecuting Attorney Allison Cowden was appointed to serve as special prosecutor after Hancock County Prosecutor Steve Dragisich recused himself from the case.
Both Manypennys are facing numerous charges, including one count each of fraudulent schemes and conspiracy against the state and two counts each of financial exploitation of an elderly person. Each remains free on a $20,000 bond.
The alleged incidents occurred around Nov. 1, 2024, and April 9 of this year, court documents show.
According to a report that outlines the investigation conducted by the West Virginia State Police and signed by Hancock County Magistrate Stephen Svokas on July 2, authorities become involved after they were asked to conduct a welfare check at the home of the alleged victim, who is a military veteran and was receiving benefits from the Veterans Administration.
The alleged victim told troopers he did not understand why his attorney, Larry Manypenny, had told him more money was needed to cover fees and drove him to a local bank. When told he did not have sufficient funds to withdraw that amount, the elderly man said he withdrew $4,000 and gave it to Manypenny.
Manypenny, who also held the elderly man's power of attorney, and his wife would check on properties the alleged victim said he owned, the report shows.
During the interview, the troopers said, the elderly man said he did not want Manypenny as his power of attorney, but said Manypenny kept bringing him papers and asked him to sign them. The alleged victims said he did not understand the paperwork.
The lengthy narrative provides summaries of account information that shows numerous checks written to Constance Manypenny, Lawrence Manypenny and others.
Troopers executed a search warrant for Manypenny's office in New Cumberland and his Weirton residence on April 13, according to the narrative.