West Virginia (WOAY) The West Virginia Rivers Coalition is suing state Attorney General John McCuskey, claiming an investigatory subpoena violates the organization’s constitutional rights.
The federal lawsuit was filed on Thursday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of West Virginia.
The coalition says the subpoena, issued in September, seeks ten years of records, including emails, publications, and information about payments to partner organizations.
The attorney general’s subpoena questions whether certain statements about fossil fuels, climate change, public health, and related issues could constitute unfair or deceptive practices.
WV Rivers claims the investigation is overreaching and retaliatory, and could chill its environmental advocacy.
The organization is asking a federal judge to block enforcement of the subpoena while the case proceeds, arguing it violates its first and fourth amendment rights.
Executive Director Jennie Smith says the coalition will continue its work to protect West Virginia’s water, public lands, and communities.
The lawsuit names McCuskey in his official capacity as attorney general.
The allegations are part of the coalition’s court filing and have not been established as fact by a court.
