FAIRMONT, W.Va. — A Marion County judge on Tuesday ordered that an injunction to block the impending sale of the state-owned John Manchin Sr. Health Care Center in Fairmont be vacated.

Circuit Judge Matt Delligatti ruled against the injunction request filed by the daughter of a woman who resides at the facility. The two were represented by Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion.

Garcia’s argument hinged on what he claimed was a lack of authority vested in Department of Health Facilities Secretary Michael Caruso to effectuate the sale of the Fairmont facility and three others across the state.

Garcia said a bill passed by the Legislature in 2023 granted the secretary the authority to sell assets, rights, privileges and land, but “not an entire operation.”

Delagatti disagreed, saying his ruling was

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