Multiple investigators in Richmond’s Office of the Inspector General have threatened to resign over recent personnel changes in the department, 8th District Councilwoman Reva Trammell told the Richmond Times-Dispatch on Wednesday evening. City Council in a closed-door meeting on Monday agreed on the dismissal of former Inspector General Jim Osuna following a human resources complaint against him. Officials did not elaborate on the nature of the complaint. But a Tuesday letter sent by investigator Brittany Clift to City Council, obtained by The Times-Dispatch, could shed some light on the situation inside the troubled office. Asked about Clift’s claims, City Council spokesperson Steve Skinner said the body would not comment on “personnel matters.” Council President Cynthia Newbille did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Aformer Richmond Fire Department employee spent at least $839,357.15 at a company registered to his own home between 2017 and 2024, according to records obtained by the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Reginald Thomas, a former management analyst for RFD, used his city credit card, purchase orders and invoices to spend the funds at RPM Supply Co., LLC, which is registered to a house on Stevens Street in Henrico County, State Corporation Commission documents show. Henrico property records show Thomas and his wife are the owners of that home. City officials cannot say how much, if any, of that total was spent on legitimate products or services, but confirmed that Thomas no longer works for the city and that his conduct is the subject of two separate investigations: one by the city auditor and another by the inspector general.

A new conflict has emerged between Warren County officials and Samuels Public Library following the library’s recent denial of a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request submitted by the County Administrator. The request, authorized by the Warren County Board of Supervisors—with the exception of Supervisor Cheryl Cullers—was filed to obtain public records the Board says are critical for transparency and oversight. In a statement released on May 15, the Board criticized the library’s decision to reject the FOIA request on what it described as a “narrow technicality.” According to Board Chair Jay Butler, the library dismissed the inquiry because it was submitted “on behalf of Warren County” rather than by an individual, even though the request was personally signed by County Administrator Ed Daley. The dispute revolves around the interpretation of who qualifies as a proper requester under Virginia FOIA law, which grants access to public records to citizens of the Commonwealth. Samuels Library maintains that only individuals—not government entities—can file such requests. County officials counter that the law should be interpreted broadly and point to the fact that the request bore a clear, individual signature.

Petitions to recall Purcellville Mayor Chris Bertaut, Vice Mayor Carl “Ben” Nett and Council members Carol Luke and Susan Khalil have been certified, according to Loudoun County General Registrar Judy Brown. The four petitions, one each for the mayor and three council members, have been sent to Loudoun County Clerk of the Circuit Court Gary Clemens’ office for the next steps in the process, she said. Clemens confirmed that he has the petitions, and he was reviewing them on Thursday morning. According to Virginia Code, the process for removing an elected official begins with a petition that must be signed by a number of registered voters who reside within the jurisdiction of the officer equal to 10% of the total number of votes cast at the last election for the office the officer holds.