But the real question isn’t whether Fairfax is seeking redemption or even a big payday. It’s whether his lawsuit is intended to settle scores with some of his fellow Democrats for what he contends is a political hit job intended to derail Fairfax’s climb to the top of Virginia politics.
The lawsuit itself reads like a pulp thriller featuring a cast of central casting heavies.
Included on the list of conspirators against Fairfax’s ambition: Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney (D). Fairfax’s attorneys allege [2]Stoney “views Fairfax as a political rival who has been positioned to delay Stoney’s desired run for governor.”
Who “positioned” Fairfax to stand in the mayor’s way is unclear. Maybe his attorneys are saving that for a courtroom surprise.
But Hizzoner didn’t act alone in this nefarious project.
Working alongside Stoney were Thad Williamson (a mayoral adviser and city council candidate) and Williamson’s wife, Adria Scharf, who allegedly helped peddle Tyson’s story to the press. (I’ll note here that Williamson and I wrote together for Richmond.com [3] more than a decade ago.)
Williamson is alleged to be an old friend and classmate of Tyson. He is also said to be a vocal supporter of Dominion Energy Chief Executive Tom Farrell’s controversial Navy Hill redevelopment [4] scheme in downtown Richmond.
Who else is a big backer of that idea? Stoney. Who’s leading the charge [5] against the project? One of the most storied personalities in Virginia politics: my friend and former writing partner Paul Goldman.
And let’s close the circle: Goldman’s old law partner? Likely-to-be state senator Joe Morrissey, who is a firm believer [6] in the anti-Fairfax conspiracy theory and is being courted [7] by Gov. Ralph Northam (D) and former governor Terry McAuliffe (D).
Speaking of McAuliffe, Stoney served as secretary of the commonwealth during McAuliffe’s term. According to Fairfax’s lawsuit, the former governor was the first big-name Virginia pol to call for his resignation.
And McAuliffe has eyes on running for his old job in 2021. Add it all up and McAuliffe has, according to Fairfax’s attorneys, “reasons to attempt to thwart Fairfax’s political career.”
The mind almost boggles at the web of connections, the subtly of the players and the very long political game they’ve allegedly been playing.