Post by Logan on Apr 10, 2016 4:18:50 GMT -6
Six current, former Va. senators found in contempt for refusing to surrender redistricting records
Six current and former Virginia senators were found in contempt Thursday by a Richmond circuit court judge for refusing to surrender records in the latest challenge to legislative gerrymandering.
Judge W. Reilly Marchant imposed a fine on each senator of $100 per day. However, the fine will be suspended until an appeals court — perhaps the state Supreme Court — decides the issue behind the senators’ refusal to produce the documents: Whether the lawmakers are protected by the Virginia Constitution from questioning in legal proceedings because it could divert attention from their public duties.
A seventh senator, Richard H. Stuart, R-Stafford, said several hours later that he is complying with Marchant’s order, issued earlier this year, to turn over the records, sparing Stuart from a contempt decree.
Marchant’s order was not unexpected and had been sought by lawyers for the senators. They want the state’s highest courts to determine whether the legislators’ official privilege, in this instance, would allow them to keep confidential their communications with staff, specifically the Division of Legislative Services. It is the bill-writing and research arm of the General Assembly.
Read more: www.newsadvance.com/news/state/general_assembly/six-current-former-va-senators-found-in-contempt-for-refusing/article_cd876494-d907-5620-bc92-722efda0aec9.html
Six current and former Virginia senators were found in contempt Thursday by a Richmond circuit court judge for refusing to surrender records in the latest challenge to legislative gerrymandering.
Judge W. Reilly Marchant imposed a fine on each senator of $100 per day. However, the fine will be suspended until an appeals court — perhaps the state Supreme Court — decides the issue behind the senators’ refusal to produce the documents: Whether the lawmakers are protected by the Virginia Constitution from questioning in legal proceedings because it could divert attention from their public duties.
A seventh senator, Richard H. Stuart, R-Stafford, said several hours later that he is complying with Marchant’s order, issued earlier this year, to turn over the records, sparing Stuart from a contempt decree.
Marchant’s order was not unexpected and had been sought by lawyers for the senators. They want the state’s highest courts to determine whether the legislators’ official privilege, in this instance, would allow them to keep confidential their communications with staff, specifically the Division of Legislative Services. It is the bill-writing and research arm of the General Assembly.
Read more: www.newsadvance.com/news/state/general_assembly/six-current-former-va-senators-found-in-contempt-for-refusing/article_cd876494-d907-5620-bc92-722efda0aec9.html