WASHINGTON – Virginia Democrats are scrambling to stem a public relations nightmare caused by a state legislature candidate who is a convicted sex-offender and may run for office from a jail cell.
Delegate Joseph Morrissey was convicted of having had sex numerous times with his then 17-year-old receptionist, who is now pregnant.
Fellow Democrats were relieved when Morrissey announced his intention to resign Thursday, but were mortified when he said in the next breath that he planned to seek reelection in the special election on Jan 13, to fill his vacant seat.
Then, on Friday, the Henrico County sheriff revoked Morrissey's work-release privileges because he failed to inform authorities of his whereabouts before holding a news conference, meaning he will now have to campaign from behind bars. The lawmaker had been working by day and returning to jail at night, and was allowed to go only to the legislature and his office.
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Democrats have had enough.
"[I]t's hard to speak for all 30 members, but the Caucus' is increasingly resolute that he needs to move on," Scott Surovell, chair of the state's House Democratic Caucus, told WND.
But that may be out the party's control, as Surovell noted, "It is up to the voters of the 74th District as to who represents them."
In addition to having sex with the teen, prosecutors said the 57-year-old Morrisey and the girl exchanged explicit text messages with nude photos, while the Democrat claimed their phones were hacked by the girl's spurned lesbian ex-lover.
Morrissey made a plea deal of contributing to the delinquency of a minor to avoid felony charges. He was sentenced to 12 months in jail but his attorney said he will serve three months.
Now, Democrats are in the uncomfortable position of trying to dump their own candidate.
"Initially, the mood of the caucus was disappointment and discouragement over his conviction and his initial decision not to resign," Surovell told WND, while then adding, after his recent actions, Democratic colleagues wanted Morrissey to move on.
Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones, Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia, told WND in a statement: "Having served in the House of Delegates, I know there is a high moral standard which we all expect from our representatives. Delegate Morrissey made the right decision to step down. Virginia Democrats remain committed to supporting the best representation for the 74th District."
“The governor was clear in his statement that Mr. Morrissey should resign,” said a spokesman for Virginia's Democratic governor, Terry McAuliffe. “That remains his position and he’s hopeful that we can move on from this episode without further embarrassment to this commonwealth.”
House Speaker William Howell, a Republican ,called Morrisey's reelection bid a "despicable, arrogant political stunt that should disgust each and every citizen of Virginia."
House Minority Leader David Toscano, a Democrat, called Morrissey's decision to run "outrageous and sad" and "a sorry display of political grandstanding."
For his own part, Morrissey said, in what appeared to be an understatement, "Right now, there is a bit of a cloud or a taint over my seat." However, he added, "There is absolutely no case precedent or Constitutional precedent to stepping down because of a misdemeanor conviction."
Morrissey is no stranger to scandal, yet still managed to win five elections, including reelection to the Virginia legislature last year.
- Morrissey has been cited for contempt of court ten times and jailed or arrested five times.
- As the commonwealth's attorney, Morrissey punched a prosecutor in the face in a hallway after the judge ordered them to take their argument outside, during a heroin trial in 1991.
- Morriseey was indicted on bribery and perjury charges for an alleged payoff in a rape case he was handling in 1993. He was acquitted by a jury but a judicial panel suspended his law license for six months, finding his conduct unethical.
- In 1998, a federal judge sentenced Morrissey to 90 days in jail for improperly speaking to reporters about a drug case. He was also barred from court for two years.
- In 1999, Morrissey got into a fistfight with a home contractor. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail after investigators found he had faked the number of hours of community service he served.
- He was disbarred in 2001 by a judicial panel which cited Morrissey's "long track record of severe ethical problems." A federal judge banned him from federal court.
- Morrissey then taught law in Ireland until officials discovered his disbarment.
- Morrissey's law license was revoked again in 2003 for failing to inform clients he had been suspended.
- The Virginia State Bar Disciplinary Board rejected Morrissey's bid for reinstatement in 2011, but the state's Supreme Court reinstated him by a vote of 4-to-3.
- The lawmaker caused an uproar for brandishing an AK-47 rifle on the floor of the Virginia House of Delegates in 2013, while calling for tighter gun-control laws.
- During a press conference in July this year, Morrissey emphatically read a profanity-laced text message sent by his 17-year-old lover, a text which he claimed had been planted by a hacker, prompting a television station to interrupt its live coverage.
Democrats are trying to find a viable alternative candidate but time is running short before a Dec. 23 filing deadline.
Republicans haven't even fielded a candidate, apparently for good reason, as any nominee would be a longshot.
"It would be one of the more challenging districts that we would ever attempt to run in. I know the local committee is looking actively for a candidate now, but we have no illusions it would be an uphill climb. If I'm not mistaken, 78-percent of the district voted for President Obama," Virginia GOP spokesman Garren Shipley told WND.
Is Morrissey a lock to win reelection?
"I would certainly hope the voters would make a different choice, but in special elections, on short notice, there's low turnout, especially in winter, but it's possible," said Shipley.
In a rare show of bipartisan unity in opposing a candidate, Democrats also hope voters make a different choice. But, if they don't, state lawmakers are prepared to convene on the day following the special election and hold a vote to expel Morrissey, which would require a two-thirds majority.
"Let the voters decide, and I am looking forward to their verdict," Morrissey told reporters.
But, if reelected, Surovell called Morrissey's expulsion "a probability" more than a possibility.