Bacon's Rebellion

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Senatorial Ethics Charges Aired

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James A. Bacon
in

Yesterday, a Senate ethics board heard allegations that Senators Thomas K. Norment, R-Williamsburg and Kenneth W. Stolle, R-Virginia Beach have engaged in a conflict of interest when legislating property rights. According to Roanoke lawyer G. David Nixon, the two powerful lawmakers have a conflict because they either represent clients that acquire property through eminent domain or engage in rainmaking activity for clients that do.

(See our coverage of this issue in “Is There a Conflict of Interest in the State Senate?” and “The Case Against Norment: Suggestive But Not Persuasive.”

The panel, headed by former James Madison University President Ronald E. Carrier, met five hours. Norment testified before the group, according to an article by Jeff Schapiro in the Richmond Times-Dispatch. (Schapiro did not say whether Stolle testified.) The panel is required to rule on the allegations in June.

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6 responses to “Senatorial Ethics Charges Aired”

  1. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    Isn’t it funny how charges made against state republicans are never very “persuasive” to the people on these pages.

    This piece could have shared the same headline as “Hospitality on the Taxpayers’ Dime.”

  2. Jim Bacon Avatar
    Jim Bacon

    What a puerile comment. I found the allegations to have enough substance to make a major issue of them in this blog and to chroncile the issue as it unfolds. But I also believe that Stolle and Norment have the right to give their side of the story and defend themselves before the ethics panel.

    I guess that shows how biased and prejudiced I am — withholding judgment before all the facts are in and a formal decision rendered.

  3. Groveton Avatar
    Groveton

    Time for another Groveton rant about the state government….

    Conflict of interest?

    Take the candidate with the most money – Jeannennmarie Devolites-Davis. Here’s her contibutor list from VPAP – http://www.vpap.org/cands/cand_donorlist.cfm?ToKey=COM00793&CycleID=2007&CycleType=Regular

    Top of the list – Mark B. Fried from Crozet, VA. I see this and I am wondering why a guy from Crozet would donate $30,000 to a state senate candidate from a Northern Virginia senatorial district.

    So I Google the guy…

    Here’s the most succinct description:

    “Mr. Fried is a real estate developer currently constructing the “Metro Park” office park near the Franconia-Springfield transit station in Springfield. He is the managing member of limited liability companies comprising Frieds and Constellation Real Estate Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Baltimore Gas & Electric.”.

    I see.

    Another Northern Virginia developer who knows better than to live among his handiwork.

    Is this a conflict of interest? I guess not. It’s all a matter of public record and nobody seems to see a conflict here.

    But does it look right?

    Mr. Fried is also the biggest contributor to Brian Moran’s campaign according to VPAP:

    http://www.vpap.org/cands/cand_donorlist.cfm?ToKey=COM00090&CycleID=2007&CycleType=Regular

    Devolites Davis and Moran?

    Conservative Republican and Liberal Democrat (at least that’s how I see them)?

    A guy who lives in Crozet?

    Virginia needs campaign contribution limits.

    Virginia’s politicians need to be independent in appearance and in fact.

    As the campaign season approaches – I issue a challenge. Find a candidate who does not have anyone with a major vested financial interest in the decisions of government as a substantial contributor.

    Just one.

    Maybe there are some. I hope so.

  4. rodger provo Avatar
    rodger provo

    Why not do a posting Jim Bacon about the NRA and gun lobby influence in our state?

    Virginia allows persons to buy one hand gun a month – that is a dozen a year.

    Virginia requires no background
    checks for gun purchases made at
    gun shows.

    Virginia allows those deemed mentally ill to buy guns, though federal law prohibits that.

    Virginia allows foreign nationals,
    holding citizenship in their native country and a green card
    here to buy handguns.

    Virginia allows the purchase of
    cartridges with 19 rounds.

    How much money has the special
    interests provided our members of
    the General Assembly to have some
    of the weakest gun control laws in
    the country?

    These are more important issues for
    Virginia than the merits of Mark
    Fried, who started his business in
    Northern Virginia and once lived
    there, giving a contribution to a
    Northern Virginia legislator, even though he now lives outside of
    Charlottesville.

  5. Anonymous Avatar
    Anonymous

    US President Tim Kalemkarian, US Senate Tim Kalemkarian, US House Tim Kalemkarian: best major candidate.

  6. Larry Gross Avatar
    Larry Gross

    I thought this interesting:

    Cutline: “Firms to advise on new transportation agency”

    “Regional leaders agreed Wednesday to set aside $50,000 for legal, engineering and financial services that might be needed by municipalities as they debate joining the new Hampton Roads Transportation Authority.

    The Hampton Roads Planning District Commission approved using Kaufman & Canoles, a law firm;..”

    http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=123174&ran=9612

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