Story Archive

Statehouse/Jailhouse

The mother of a 17-year-old who worked in his office says state Delegate Joe Morrissey, Democrat of Henrico County, inspired her daughter’s career ambitions, but a prosecutor says that he contributed to the minor’s delinquency and “perhaps” even to her pregnancy. Morrissey, a defense attorney, chose not to defend the case, although his legal team had a theory that one of the young woman’s girlfriends had planted sexually explicit evidence on her phone and his. Now Morrissey may face disbarment proceedings — and he will face a special election: he’s resigned from Virginia’s House of Delegates, but he’s running for his own seat in a special election, and his resignation is effective on the day of that election. Morrissey will be allowed to attend to both his legal and his legislative responsibilities — if he keeps them — as part of a work-release program. Noted Sheriff Michael Wade: “We understand that the legislature can run late into the night, but we will know where he is” because the lawmaker will have an ankle monitor. (AC/Richmond Times-Dispatch, WTVR Richmond) ...What would Virginia’s jails be like if one of the legislators responsible for them actually had to live in one?