If allegations contained in a notice of forthcoming legal action prove true, the mess at the West Virginia State Police was much worse than many had believed.

Attorney Teresa Toriseva says 42 women, including 10 who were minors during their time at the state Police Academy, are planning to sue the WVSP, over allegations related to hidden cameras found in the women’s locker room there.

Among the challenges to such litigation is that former WVSP Superintendent Jan Cahill reported the thumb drive that was believed to contain evidence of the alleged video recording was destroyed by troopers who were thought to have been involved.

“Our ongoing investigation shows rampant sexual misconduct, including hidden videotaping, toward female cadets and others, while they attended the academy,” Toriseva said. “Much of the conduct is through witness-provided evidence. With the destruction of the video files by the State Police, many of these women will be forced to live without knowing who saw them recorded on secret video cameras.”

In a letter to Interim WVSP Superintendent Colonel Jack Chambers and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, Toriseva said “several of these women were subjected to varying levels of physical and emotional abuse and were most likely videotaped with hidden cameras in the locker room.

“All of these women were victims of a civil conspiracy perpetrated by instructors, staff and leadership at the West Virginia State Police Academy. Accordingly, these women will bring suit seeking all available damages under the law.”

Toriseva is right to continue to call for an independent, federal investigation into the situation, given the difficulties associated with anyone in-state trying to conduct a thorough investigation that results in both consequences and justice. Such a resolution is important not only for the reported victims, but for every West Virginian for whom trust in our state police must be restored.