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.