Quite a day for news, as we learn that Del. Joe Morrissey has agreed to a plea deal that will see the lawmaker serve around six months (or much less) in jail:
Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, entered an Alford plea Friday to a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six suspended but will be allowed to participate in a work-release program and could be free after three months.
An Alford plea acknowledges the prosecution has evidence sufficient for a conviction but does not concede guilt on the charge stemming from accusations that he had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl who worked in his law office. The special prosecutor in the case told reporters after the hearing that the girl, now 18, is pregnant and that Morrissey is “perhaps” the father.
Morrissey, who had been scheduled to go on trial Monday and faced up to 41 years in prison on felony charges, entered the plea and was sentenced by Judge J. Martin Bass. He will be allowed to engage in a work-release program under which he would continue to work as a legislator and lawyer while spending nights in the jail, said his attorney, Anthony Troy. Only a felony conviction would disqualify a person from serving in the legislature, according to state law.
And so Richmond is deprived of another circus trial. Which is a good thing. One does have to wonder whether Morrissey’s constituents will be willing to forgive this latest legal entanglement. Given the history he overcame to win his seat in the first place, however, they could just as easily give him a pass.
Meanwhile and elsewhere, federal prosecutors investigating the circumstances surrounding former Sen. Phil Puckett’s resignation have decided to do nothing:
The U.S. Attorney’s Office will not seek federal criminal charges surrounding the June resignation of state Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District and the FBI have been investigating the circumstances of Puckett’s resignation, which paved the way for Republicans to take control of the state Senate, thwarting Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s bid for Medicaid expansion.
“After reviewing the facts gathered during the investigation, considering potentially applicable statutes, and consulting with the Public Integrity Section at the Department of Justice, we have decided not to pursue federal criminal charges for acts surrounding Senator Puckett’s resignation” U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Heaphy said in a letter released Friday afternoon.
“We are accordingly closing our investigation of this matter. Should new information arise from any source, we may reopen the investigation” and reconsider the decision, Heaphy wrote to lawyers representing principals in the case.
Which is interesting, considering the smoke this event generated throughout the summer and into the fall.
It also means the lobbyists with whom I’ve spoken, and who were getting very concerned about where prosecutors may have been going with all this, can relax a bit and enjoy the office Christmas party.
