Laura Dascher of Bath County is a partner in the Covington law firm of Pasco and Dascher PLC. The firm gave $2500 to the Future Deeds Campaign in Dec. 2007.
That, in and of itself, is fine. But it’s not the whole story.
Laura Dascher was a “non-negotiable” appointment by Sen. Deeds to the Juvenile Domestic Relations Court, according to House sources. Apparently, Deeds was so adamant about this appointment, he was willing to hold up two circuit court appointments to make it happen.
He eventually got his way last Wednesday when Dascher’s appointment was approved (however, several delegates abstained).
Most of the case load for this particular judicial seat is 90 minutes from Covington; at least 60% of the cases are heard in Augusta, Staunton, and Waynesboro. Why would Deeds be so adamant about ensuring Dascher was the appointee?
So, it’s kind of interesting that a person who had been a substitute judge since Apr. 2007, donated $2500 to Sen. Deeds — her chief patron — in December, and lives 90 minutes from where most of the cases are heard, would suddenly become a “non-negotiable” appointment.
After learning of Sen. Yvonne Miller’s demands this weekend and now this, it seems like gaining power in the senate last election has created some questionable ethical behavior by Senate Democrats.
Is it coincidence, or is there a little quid pro quo between Deeds and Ms. Dascher?
UPDATE: The Deeds campaign replied to the ‘Drift this afternoon with the following explanation as to why Ms. Dascher was the senator’s first choice.
“[Laura Dascher] was the candidate endorsed by the bar association. Additionally, Senator Deeds’ felt it was important to have a judge from that part of the district–I think it’s been 14 years since that’s been the case,” wrote Peter Jackson, Deeds for Virginia campaign manager to Bearing Drift today via e-mail. “Laura is an extraordinarily talented lawyer, especially in trying the Juvenile & Domestic Relations cases that she’ll be hearing from the bench.”
