Best-selling author John Grisham's latest novel "The Appeal," released Tuesday, has a West Virginia twist.

The book weaves a tale of money and politics - specifically of buying a seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court after a local jury finds a chemical company guilty of dumping toxic waste in the water supply of a small town.

But before the $41 million case reaches the high court, the chemical company owner spends several million dollars to elect a judge of his own to the court.

During a Tuesday morning interview on the "Today" show, Grisham tied "The Appeal" to West Virginia.

Host Matt Lauer asked, "Was there a specific story that caught your eye in the headlines that made you want to write this?"

"There have been several," Grisham said. "In judicial elections ... huge sums of money get involved on both sides to purchase a seat on the Supreme Court."

When Lauer asked Grisham if the plot was "far-fetched," Grisham replied, "It's already happened. It happened a few years ago in West Virginia.

"A guy owned a coal company. He got tired of being sued. He elected his guy to the Supreme Court. It switched ... back his way. Now he doesn't worry about getting sued."

During the November 2004 election, Brent Benjamin, a little-known Charleston lawyer, was elected to the state Supreme Court with the help of a group called "And For the Sake of the Kids," which was largely funded by campaign money from Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy.

Best-selling author John Grisham's latest novel "The Appeal," released Tuesday, has a West Virginia twist.

The book weaves a tale of money and politics - specifically of buying a seat on the Mississippi Supreme Court after a local jury finds a chemical company guilty of dumping toxic waste in the water supply of a small town.

But before the $41 million case reaches the high court, the chemical company owner spends several million dollars to elect a judge of his own to the court.

During a Tuesday morning interview on the "Today" show, Grisham tied "The Appeal" to West Virginia.

Host Matt Lauer asked, "Was there a specific story that caught your eye in the headlines that made you want to write this?"

"There have been several," Grisham said. "In judicial elections ... huge sums of money get involved on both sides to purchase a seat on the Supreme Court."

When Lauer asked Grisham if the plot was "far-fetched," Grisham replied, "It's already happened. It happened a few years ago in West Virginia.

"A guy owned a coal company. He got tired of being sued. He elected his guy to the Supreme Court. It switched ... back his way. Now he doesn't worry about getting sued."

During the November 2004 election, Brent Benjamin, a little-known Charleston lawyer, was elected to the state Supreme Court with the help of a group called "And For the Sake of the Kids," which was largely funded by campaign money from Don Blankenship, CEO of Massey Energy.

In August 2002, a Boone County jury ruled Massey must pay $50 million to Harman Mining and its owner, Hugh M. Caperton, for improperly stripping a coal supply contract from Harman.

In November 2007, the West Virginia Supreme Court overturned the Boone County ruling, in a 3-2 vote, with Benjamin's vote in the majority. Today, that verdict is worth $76.3 million, with interest.

On Tuesday, Benjamin would not comment about Grisham's remarks on the "Today" show.

Jennifer Bundy, a spokeswoman for the Supreme Court, said Benjamin has pointed out he has cast votes against Massey Energy in some cases before the court.

Bruce E. Stanley, a Pittsburgh lawyer who represents Caperton, said, "Mr. Grisham's comments are just further evidence of a general public perception of an appearance of impropriety.

"We would implore Justice Benjamin once again, for the sake of West Virginia's image to the nation, to step down from this case," Stanley said.

Benjamin has refused to step down and will be acting chief justice when the court rehears the Harman case on March 12.

Chief Justice Elliott "Spike" Maynard recused himself earlier this month, after photos of his vacation meetings with Blankenship and two unidentified women on the French Riviera became public earlier this month.

To contact staff writer Paul J. Nyden, use e-mail or call 348-5164.