'Part-Time Employees' Ethics Bill Tabled In House; Sponsor Minchew 'Disappointed'

[mahatmakanejeeves]

'Part-Time Employees' Ethics Bill Tabled In House; Sponsor Minchew 'Disappointed'
http://www.leesburgtoday.com/news/part-time-employees-ethics-bill-tabled-in-house-sponsor-minchew/article_d23b40cc-82e1-11e3-97aa-0019bb2963f4.html

Posted: Tuesday, January 21, 2014 4:22 pm | Updated: 12:22 pm, Wed Jan 22, 2014.

Just days before former-Gov. Bob McDonnell was indicted on federal corruption charges, a Virginia House of Delegates committee has tabled legislation that would hold elected officials to tighter ethical controls.

A House of Delegates Courts of Justice criminal subcommittee last week recommended laying HB420 on the table--essentially passing it over for consideration. The bill, as backed by the Loudoun Board of Supervisors, would have made anyone who "works for or is elected to any government body to the penalties for misuse of public assets." Currently, Virginia State Code only subjects full-time people to penalty.

The Loudoun board asked for the legislation, which was sponsored by Del. Randy Minchew (R-10), following a grand jury report issued this summer. For months a grand jury had been assembled under the helm of a special prosecutor to investigate claims that Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) had his supervisor aides to set up meetings to solicit political contributions, while on county--and taxpayer--time.

The grand jury report said criminal charges could not be brought because Delgaudio is a part-time employee. It recommended that state legislation be brought to amend the state code.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Reform Bill Spurred By Delgaudio Case Gets New Life

Reform Bill Spurred By Delgaudio Case Gets New Life

Posted: Thursday, February 6, 2014 1:25 pm

Following what Del. Randy Minchew (R-10) describes as a “Lazarus Play,” a bill intended to hold elected officials to tighter ethical controls is headed for a committee vote Friday morning.

Last month a House of Delegates Courts of Justice criminal subcommittee recommended laying HB420 on the table--essentially passing it over for consideration. However, in second vote by the subcommittee Wednesday, the panel unanimously reported out an amended version of the bill.
....

The {Loudoun County Board of Supervisors} asked for the legislation following a grand jury report issued last summer following its investigation of claims that Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio (R-Sterling) had his supervisor aides to set up meetings to solicit political contributions, while on county--and taxpayer--time.

The grand jury report said criminal charges could not be brought because Delgaudio was a part-time employee. It recommended amending the state code to apply the laws to all officials.