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More Morrissey News Continues to Shake Up Richmond Mayoral Race

Steve Helber
/
AP

The race for mayor in Richmond has taken another surprising turn.  Former state Delegate Joe Morrissey – known for having an affair with his 17-year-old intern, brawling outside the courthouse and bringing an AK-47 onto the floor of the General Assembly, leads in the polls. 

Now, Morrissey faces a new scandal.

Last week, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported a former client of lawyer Joe Morrissey’s had accused him of pressuring her for sex. Morrissey has denied those charges.

His lawyer, Arnold Henderson, told reporters at a press conference, “I am here today once again requesting that the Richmond Times Dispatch retract the original article. I am here today to once again ask that the Richmond Times Dispatch issue a formal apology to Mr. Morrissey.”

Related: Richmond's Leading Mayoral Candidate Faces Fresh Scandal

The news has shaken up this race in its final stretch. The Democratic party of Virginia has sent a formal complaint to the board of elections; accusing Morrissey’s campaign of intentionally misleading voters into thinking he has the party’s endorsement.

In fact, the party has endorsed former Secretary of the Commonwealth Levar Stoney. Another candidate — Jon Baliles — announced he’s dropping out of the race, so the anti-Morrissey vote is less fragmented.

Mallory Noe-Payne is a Radio IQ reporter based in Richmond.