MORGANTOWN — Darryl Duncan, former Mon Health System president and CEO, entered a plea agreement this week in Monongalia County Magistrate Court on a misdemeanor charge of harassing a former employee after he left his post.
Duncan pleaded no contest to harassment. No contest means the defendant does not contest or admit guilt. A trial was set for Thursday but was continued because of the plea agreement.
The court will defer acceptance of the plea to allow Duncan to participate in an eight-month pre-trial diversion.
During that period, he must complete 50 hours of community service at a location approved by the state. He may have no contact with the victim or victim’s family, directly or indirectly. He may not attempt to harass or intimidate the victim or the victim’s family.
During the diversion period, Duncan may leave the state to seek employment or engage in any other state-approved activities.
Upon successful completion of the diversion, Duncan will be permitted to plead no contest to the lesser crime of providing anonymous communication. The state will recommend a 30-day sentence but not oppose the sentence to be suspended for four months of unsupervised probation. Duncan would again be permitted to leave the state during the probation period.
In January 2018, 28 Mon Health physicians signed a letter expressing no confidence in Duncan’s leadership. He was subsequently placed on a leave of absence and resigned in March 2018.
According to the criminal complaint, the victim described several harassing communications, direct and indirect, including two letters, some emails, typed letters, a trophy and a novelty license plate.
During a search of his home, “he advised that he was the person responsible.”
Duncan’s attorney could not be reached for comment. Mon Health declined comment.
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