Published: May 28, 2008 09:48 pm         

Monroe prosecutor announces resignation

UNION — Monroe County Prosecutor Rod Mohler is resigning his post effective Friday and will begin working as an assistant prosecutor in Greenbrier County next week.

Mohler has been Monroe County’s prosecutor the last 111⁄2 years, but recently lost his bid for re-election to newcomer Justin R. St. Clair by 451 votes. With four children and a wife, Mohler said the uncertainty of waiting until January to find another job would not be prudent.

“Friday will be my last day,” Mohler said when reached by phone. “Unlike my predecessors, I did not maintain an outside practice. I have to go when I get a job. If I wait until the end of my term, then I might not be able to get a job.”

Mohler plans work as an assistant to Greenbrier County Prosecutor Kevin Hanson. Hanson is short one prosecutor after the departure of Bryan Bragg about three weeks ago. Hanson said Bragg left the office to find outside legal consulting work. Mohler’s employment is “subject to the approval of the county commission” and his starting salary will be about $47,000, Hanson said. He is expected to begin working in magistrate court.

“I think that Mr. Mohler will be a good addition to the office,” Hanson said Wednesday.

Monroe County commissioners said Mohler’s replacement will be named at a special meeting at 8:30 a.m. today. Mohler had tendered his resignation verbally to them during the vote canvass a few days after the election loss and also by letter. Monroe County Commission president Oliver Porterfield said the man who defeated Mohler, St. Clair, could possibly have the fast track to the job now.

Barring a last minute write-in candidate, which is not likely, St. Clair, a Democrat, is all but assured the prosecutor’s job come January because no Republican candidates filed in May’s primary.

“He (St. Clair) will be there at the special meeting and he will be one of the people we are considering to replace Mr. Mohler,” Porterfield said.

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