McDonnell viewed $15K check as gift to daughter
RICHMOND Gov. Bob McDonnell says he viewed a $15,000 check from a political backer to pay for catering at his daughter's wedding to be a gift to his daughter, not to him, and felt no need under the law to report it.
Virginia could be on hook for $1B Midtown Tunnel debt
The state would be on the hook for more than a billion dollars of debt if a judge's ruling striking down the Midtown and Downtown tunnel tolls stands, according to a ratings agency.
Norfolk prosecutor assigned to Va. mansion chef case
RICHMOND Norfolk Commonwealth’s Attorney Greg Underwood is taking over the Virginia attorney general’s criminal prosecution of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s ex-chef, a high-profile case with significant political implications.
Judge: Midtown Tunnel toll deal is unconstitutional
PORTSMOUTH A judge ruled Wednesday that the state's $2.1 billion public-private Midtown Tunnel deal and its tolls are unconstitutional, throwing uncertainty over a project that is months into construction, and setting the stage for an appeal.
Judge sides with toll opponents; appeal likely
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: The judge has ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, saying the General Assembly exceeded its power to delegate its authority to set the tolls. The defendants have asked for a stay of the order pending appeal. Details to come. _____ PORTSMOUTH
Judge: Virginia exceeded its power in delegating tolls
UPDATE, 3:37 p.m.: Judge ruled in favor of the plaintiffs and that the General Assembly exceeded its power to delegate its authority to set the tolls. The plaintiffs have asked for a stay of the order pending appeal. _____ PORTSMOUTH
McDonnell: No special favors for company in probe
RICHMOND Gov. Bob McDonnell gave his most full-throated defense to date on nagging questions about his family’s relationship to a political donor that has attracted the probing eyes of federal agents, saying the donor hasn’t received special treatment from his administration.
Virginia Dems renew call for Cuccinelli to resign
RICHMOND Virginia Democrats are renewing their demands that Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli resign after Cuccinelli belatedly disclosed about $13,000 worth of gifts he claims he forgot to note in four years' worth of economic disclosure reports.
NC House bill would change film industry credits
RALEIGH, N.C. A North Carolina House bill that would end tax refunds for film production companies is generating debate over the value of government-backed incentives for businesses. The measure would stop production companies from collecting a check when the size of their credit is greater than what they owe in state taxes.
Food costs spiked at gov’s mansion in FY 2012
RICHMOND, Va. An Associated Press review of state records shows grocery costs at Virginia's Executive Mansion hit the highest levels in years in late 2011 and early 2012, the months leading up to the mansion's chef dismissal and the start of a criminal investigation into operations of the mansion's kitchen.
Sex crime issues dominate Va. crime panel’s agenda
RICHMOND The Virginia State Crime Commission will spend a lot of time talking about sex crimes this year.
Mudslinging mars GOP primary for state House seat
Allegations involving a prostitute and illicit drug use are rapidly turning the race for the Republican nomination in a Virginia Beach House seat into a nasty primary contest. Ex-Navy SEAL Scott Taylor casts himself as the aggrieved party, accusing fellow Republican candidate Gary Byler’s campaign of orchestrating online “falsehoods and fabrications” against him.