Thursday, August 28, 2014
State and Local Stories
Like many Virginians, Sen. Tim Kaine finds the trial of fellow former Gov. Bob McDonnell a real downer. “The whole thing has been really sad. There’s just nothing good to come out of it. I do think the ethical laws in Virginia are way too lax,” he said when asked about the trial during his visit to the Apprentice School at Newport News Shipbuilding. “We’ve got to repair our reputation a little bit after this,” he said. Kaine said one approach that might help is the one the U.S. Senate has adopted. “In the Senate, there is an ethics office and you call with a question and they get you answer right away. There has to be a way to get advice right away so you can make the right decision,” he said.
Daily Press
Gov. Terry McAuliffe has “100 percent divested” himself of GreenTech Automotive, the electric car company he pointed to as evidence of his business savvy during his successful run for Virginia’s top office. Thomas Richardson, a Washington, D.C., attorney who oversaw financial holdings for the incoming governor, told Watchdog.org McAuliffe was “totally divested” of the firm. Richardson would not disclose the timing or terms of the divestiture, saying only that McAuliffe “retains no interest whatsoever in the company.” He referred further questions to the governor’s general counsel office. McAuliffe’s financial disclosure form, obtained through the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office, makes no mention of GreenTech. Watchdog.org sought a copy of McAuliffe’s latest federal income tax return. General Counsel Carlos Hopkins rebuffed that request, saying the governor is not required to furnish those documents. “My office does not discuss or disclose information related to the governor’s personal accounts,” Hopkins stated in an email. During the 2013 gubernatorial campaign, McAuliffe released a summary of his 2012 federal tax return. His Republican opponent, Ken Cuccinelli, made his full returns available to the public — and challenged McAuliffe to do the same. The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press said it knew of no state that requires full disclosure of federal tax returns by candidates or public officials.
Watchdog.org Virginia Bureau
The public may soon find out who purchased the Thomasville Furniture site as a result of June’s bankruptcy sale. On Tuesday, the Appomattox Town Council and County Board of Supervisors jointly met in closed session to discuss possible new businesses coming to Appomattox. As cited on the town council’s meeting agenda Tuesday, the closed session discussion revolved around one of the prospective businesses possibly locating on the Thomasville property. The closed session meeting was held at council’s workshop meeting Tuesday night, which was after the Times-Virginian deadline. These type of sessions are typically closed to the public.
Times-Virginian
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