UPDATE | Gov. Justice approves firings over controversial Nazi salute photo

CHARLESTON, W. Va. (WSAZ) - UPDATE 12/30/19 @ 11 a.m.
Gov. Jim Justice is approving firings after reviewing the report on the Division of Corrections (DCR) academy Class 18.

Justice released on Monday that he is approving the recommendations submitted by Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety (DMAPS) Secretary Jeff Sandy to fire all cadets involved in the picture.

Justice also approved the firing of one additional staff member. According to the recommendations, that member didn’t report the content of the class photograph. According to the release, this is the third instructor fired from the incident.

Four additional academy instructors who knew about the picture were also suspended without pay.

The photo was taken in November and handed out to attendees at the division’s Nov. 27 graduation ceremony.