BECKLEY, W.Va. – Raleigh County District Attorney Ben Hatfield’s attorney says his client welcomes a review of the allegations against him by the House Special Investigation Committee.

The Raleigh County Commission announced after a board meeting Thursday that it was making the request due to Hatfield’s alleged inappropriate conduct.

“Based on information provided to the Raleigh County Commission by three sitting Raleigh County District Judges relating to allegations of improper conduct by Raleigh County District Attorney Benjamin Hatfield, the Raleigh County Commission will request the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations to initiate an investigation into these allegations and inform the Commission of its findings and recommendations,” the commission’s prepared statement said.

Hatfield’s attorney, House member Brandon Steele, told MetroNews his client did nothing wrong and that will be proven again.

“He said, ‘I’m more than happy to give everything away and answer any questions you have so we can really put this to rest,'” Steele said. “That’s what my client wanted all along – to be able to clear his name.”

A domestic violence lawsuit filed against Hatfield by a woman last week was dismissed by a family court judge on Wednesday after a three-hour closed-door hearing. Steele said the allegation was nothing but a lie and said after the decision that he hoped the matter was over and he could go back to work. The county commission announced its move on Thursday morning.

Steele said Hatfield was glad that county commissioners had at least assigned deputies to investigate the allegations.

“There will be no consequences for his influence on the Special Investigations Commission,” Steele said.

Steele said he wondered why the three district judges had requested the review when it was apparently not part of their roles as judges.

“When people come to you with complaints, you have to refer them to the appropriate person at the county commission or the state police or wherever, depending on what it is,” Steele said. “It clearly shows that the judges are having political conversations, and that’s something they should avoid.”

Steele said he also wants the legislative committee to investigate how the request came about.

“I hope not only that CSI investigates the allegations and my client can further clear his name, but also that he will clarify the reasons behind them,” Steele said.

Steele is a member of the Special Investigations Commission. He said he would of course resign if the commission took the Hatfield case for investigation.

Steele also expressed his hope on Thursday that the CSI would address the matter as soon as possible.