The parole board looks sketchy, Hugo receives endorsement from Trump's deputy secretary, and more from Va Politics
The latest in Va politics.
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Virginia’s parole board is coming under fire again after a new report from a Richmond TV station showed that an inspector general allegedly omitted several important details when he released the results of his investigation into the Virginia parole board last year. The investigation was triggered by the release of Vincent Martin, a Richmond man that murdered a police officer 40 years ago.
Martin was released in the summer of 2020.
The report that was given to the media initially was only six pages and heavily redacted, but the TV station’s work this week shows that the original report had a draft that was twice as long.
The new information highlights instances where the former chair who is now a judge in Virginia Beach, Adrianne Bennett, asked at least two employees to falsify information.
From the WTVR report: “Westfall also wrote that in April, Bennett falsely told Virginia Secretary of Public Safety Brian Moran that she had not advocated for Martin’s release. The report then stated Bennett told at least one parole board employee that she was going to purposely release Martin and certain other inmates near the end of her term because of the backlash those decisions would bring.”
The WTVR report also states that the current chair, Tonya Chapman, was also complicit with Bennett in violating multiple state codes and policies as well as the constitution of Virginia. Chapman became chair of the board on April 15, 2020.
The inspector general on this case, Michael Westfall, accused Chapman of violating state code in relation to false entries or the destruction of records by officers. Westfall also accused Chapman of violating an executive order that requires all executive branch agencies to cooperate with an inspector general investigation to the fullest extent.
The Virginia Mercury also reported that several new missteps that were previously unknown to the public are now coming to light. “In one case, a man convicted of killing his estranged wife in the mid-1980s in front of their two young children was granted geriatric parole on March 31 after being denied discretionary parole just two months earlier. The inspector general’s office found that the inmate never filed a petition for geriatric release and the Parole Board didn’t conduct a new interview with him, relying instead on the interview conducted during his prior, unsuccessful bid for parole. On Feb. 5, the victim’s mother received a notification that the Parole Board had declined to grant the inmate discretionary release. The next month, the board granted geriatric release but didn’t notify the mother until after the decision was made and the inmate’s release was imminent, a violation of a rule giving victims 60 days to provide input in geriatric release cases. The board never notified the victim’s daughter, the report says, even though she was registered in the state’s victim-notification system.”
The parole board members as well as the inspector general that investigated them were appointed by Governor Ralph Northam.
In an effort to get to the bottom of what happened to provide transparency to the public, Democratic state Senator John Bell (Loudoun) and Senator Bryce Reeves (Spotsylvania) announced on Wednesday night that they are asking the Senate Judiciary Committee to investigate.
“On the floor of the Senate today, I asked my colleagues across the aisle to work with me on this important issue,” Reeves wrote in a press release Wednesday. “If you see a deficiency in the system, and you fail to correct it, then you set a new standard. “
Senator Bell added, “It is our duty to hold our systems to a higher standard. I’m happy to work with Senator Reeves in addressing these issues that are impacting our parole board.”
Governor Northam’s office has not released a statement on the news reports.
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert (Shenandoah) called on Northam to answer questions on the matter. “The Northam Administration needs to tell us if they were involved in changing this damning report or covering up these criminal acts, and the Office of Inspector General needs to tell us why they hid these findings from the public,” Gilbert wrote in an announcement.
Gilbert then called on the parole board members involved to lose their job, or resign. “There is only one solution in situations where a public official has so grossly violated the public trust — that person must be discharged from that office immediately. If they have any honor, they will resign. Otherwise, they should be fired.”
The Office of the Inspector General released a statement saying this latest information was released without permission and they will be seeking out the person that leaked it.
More News:
Liberty University surprised by Virginia GOP plans for drive-in convention on campus - Washington Post
by Laura Vozzella
State Republican Party leaders voted this week to choose their nominee for Virginia governor at a drive-in convention at Liberty University, a decision that seemed to take officials at the Lynchburg campus by surprise.
The state GOP’s governing board voted late Tuesday night to hold its convention in parking lots spread out across campus, with thousands of delegates seated in their vehicles and candidate speeches possibly piped in through car radios. The plan was meant to meet coronavirus restrictions and end a protracted internal party struggle over the nomination method.
JENNIFER CARROLL FOY ANNOUNCES PLAN TO PROTECT LGBTQ RIGHTS IN VIRGINIA - RVA Magazine
More than a decade ago, 57 percent of Virginians approved a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as a union solely between one man and one woman. Although this ban on same-sex marriages and civil unions was invalidated by the 2015 Supreme Court decision to recognize same-sex marriages, Virginia’s constitution still begs to differ.
Five years after Obergefell v. Hodges, Virginia’s constitution has yet to be amended in order to ensure that marriage equality and the rights of LGBTQ individuals are protected regardless of current court precedent. However, for Jennifer Carroll Foy, it’s a priority. “Until all of our rights are secure, none of our rights are secure. And so, ensuring that we address equity and equality in Virginia in a real substantive way is truly important to me,” said Carroll Foy.
Having dedicated her entire life to giving a voice to the voiceless, the former delegate has unequivocally displayed her support for the most vulnerable and underrepresented communities that lie within the Commonwealth. And as a current candidate for the Democratic nomination for governor, she intends on expanding those efforts.
McAuliffe scores endorsement from major North American labor union - The Hill
By Julia Manchester,
Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) on Wednesday scored the support of a major North American labor union in his bid for another term as governor.
The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) formally endorsed McAuliffe, citing his work for the labor community during his first term as a governor, according to a statement exclusively obtained by The Hill.
Attorney General Mark Herring joined a coalition of 21 attorneys general in sending a letter to Congressional leadership urging support for H.R. 1 and S. 1, the “For the People Act of 2021.”
The bill is an omnibus package of democracy reforms designed to expand access to the ballot, protect elections from foreign interference, force disclosure of dark money in federal elections, and raise ethical standards for federal officials.
“There is absolutely no evidence that any kind of widespread voter fraud occurred during the 2020 election, and yet, elected officials across the country, including here in Virginia, continue to promulgate these rumors and misinformation,” said Attorney General Herring. “Over the past year, I worked hard to make sure that any Virginian who wanted to vote had the opportunity to safely and easily, despite the many different challenges that came our way. Too many Americans have been disenfranchised or cut out of this country’s democratic process for too long and it’s time for that to change.”
Ken Cuccinelli Endorses Tim Hugo for Lieutenant Governor
Today, former Virginia Attorney General and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli threw his support behind Tim Hugo’s campaign for Lieutenant Governor.
“Tim Hugo has always been a strong conservative leader and our Commonwealth needs his leadership now more than ever,” said Cuccinelli. “With our nation’s founding principles under attack daily at the federal and state levels, we need Republican candidates who can fight back and win. I know Tim is the candidate best equipped to defeat the Democrats this November and I am proud to support his campaign for Lieutenant Governor.”
The campaign for Winsome Sears, the former Delegate that is seeking the GOP nomination to run for Lt. Governor announced campaign finance numbers today.
LGBTQ Victory Fund Endorses Mark Levine for Lieutenant Governor
The only national organization dedicated to electing LGBTQ people to public office endorsed Delegate Mark Levine for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.
“We’re so excited to endorse Mark Levine for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund, “From starting the Valentine’s Day protests to co-founding Marriage Equality California to passing the Comprehensive Rainbow Equality Law in Virginia, Mark has spent decades of service in the fight for LBGTQ+ equality. We’re proud to support Mark because we know he’ll work hard for every Virginian.”
“I’m proud to earn Victory Fund’s endorsement,” Levine said. “I’ve been fighting for the Rainbow community since I came out in the 90’s. Our struggle is far from over.”
Democratic Lieutenant Governor hopeful Hala Ayala Condemns Delegate Kirk Cox's comments over abortion
Delegate Hala Ayala released the following statement on Delegate Kirk Cox's eanti-choice ad.
“I am disgusted that once again Kirk Cox and Virginia Republicans are attacking women’s reproductive freedoms and spreading misinformation about essential healthcare services to score political points. Virginians will not be fooled by these lies. Like a majority of Virginians, I support a woman's right to choose. Politicians in Richmond should not be making personal healthcare decisions for our residents or getting between a woman and her doctor. I’ve spent over a decade advocating for reproductive rights as both an activist and then a Delegate and will continue to do so every day. I am grateful that Governor Northam--a physician--has been an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and has been a brick wall for choice in our Commonwealth. As our General Assembly session wraps up, I am grateful that we continued to pass progressive legislation to enshrine the right to choose into Virginia code.”
State Senator Jeremy McPike (VA-SD-29) and Delegate Luke Torian (VA-HD-52) Endorse Rod Hall for VA-HD-31
State Senator Jeremy McPike (VA-SD-29) recently announced his endorsement of Rod Hall’s House of Delegates Campaign in Virginia’s 31st District. “I’m glad to see Rod Hall step up to run for the House of Delegates and know he will be a strong voice for the 31st House District. Rod has demonstrated his leadership abilities through years of service to our community in many roles. As a mentor at the Dale City Boys and Girls Club and as a leader that has served on Virginia’s important transportation authorities, Rod has demonstrated his commitment to our community and our Commonwealth.”
Del. Torian: “Rod’s been a congressional staffer, was head of legislative affairs for a large federal agency in the Obama Administration, sits on a number of key state transportation boards and is active in our community. He’s ready to serve the 31st and I’m delighted to support him”
Governor Northam Increases Capacity Limits for Outdoor Sports and Entertainment Venues as COVID-19 Hospitalizations and Infection Rates Continue to Fall, Vaccinations Rise
Governor Northam is beginning to ease public health restrictions by taking steps to increase capacity limits in outdoor settings, where evidence shows the risk of airborne transmission of COVID-19 is lower. The key changes in the Third Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two include:
Social gatherings: The maximum number of individuals permitted in a social gathering will increase from 10 to 25 people for outdoor settings, while remaining at 10 persons for indoor settings.
Entertainment venues: Outdoor entertainment and public amusement venues will be able to operate with up to 1,000 individuals or at 30 percent capacity, whichever is lower. If current trends continue, these venues may be able to operate at 30 percent capacity with no cap on the number of people permitted to attend starting in April. Indoor entertainment and public amusement venues must continue to operate at 30 percent capacity with a cap of 250 people. All entertainment venues were previously limited to a maximum of 250 individuals.
Dining establishments: The on-site sale, consumption, and possession of alcohol will be permitted until midnight, extended from 10:00 p.m. All restaurants, dining establishments, food courts, breweries, microbreweries, distilleries, wineries, and tasting rooms still must be closed between midnight and 5:00 a.m.
Overnight summer camps: As of May 1, overnight summer camps will be able to open with strict mitigation measures in place. Registration can begin now.
The new guidelines will be effective for at least one month and mitigation measures may be eased further if key health metrics continue to improve. Current guidelines for retail businesses, fitness and exercise, large amusement venues, and personal grooming services will remain in place. Individuals are strongly encouraged to continue teleworking if possible.
The full text of Third Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two and Order of Public Health Emergency Nine is available here. Updated guidelines for specific sectors can be found here.
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