BY CHELYEN DAVIS
State legislators have filed their annual reports detailing gifts they’ve received over the past year, and as usual, it’s an interesting read, full of gifted dinners, flights, sports tickets and trips.
Not surprisingly, Virginia Uranium—company that wants Virginia to lift its ban on uranium mining so it can open a mine in Pittsylvania County—was the top gift-giver.
The company spent $120,336 on gifts, mostly taking 15 legislators on trips to France and Saskatchewan to tour uranium mines there.
Dels. John Cosgrove, Lionel Spruill, Mamye BaCote, Jimmy Massie (a trip for two, he listed), Roslyn Tyler, Jeion Ward, David Englin, Barry Knight and Scott Lingamfelter went on the trips to France, along with Sen. Louise Lucas and Sen. Mamie Locke. Sens. Frank Wagner, John Watkins and Yvonne Miller, and Delegates Onzlee Ware, Lynwood Lewis, Spruill and Massie went to Canada.
Two delegates—Del. Joe Morrissey and Del. Scott Surovell—went on a trip to Taiwan, paid for by the State of Taiwan.
The American Turkish Friendship Association took two delegates—Del. David Englin and his wife, and Del. David Bulova—and Sen. Dave Marsden on a trip to Turkey.
And Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli collected “a box of a food supplement” worth $6,711 from Jonnie R. Williams Sr., who is CEO of Glen Allen-based Star Scientific, which works to reduce the carcinogens in tobacco products, according to the Internet.
According to Cuccinelli’s communications director, Brian Gottstein, the gift is an experimental food supplement called Anatabloc, a gift from Williams given when Cuccinelli asked about Williams’ latest projects. Cuccinelli estimated its value based on an Internet search. Another Internet search showed the supplement sells for about $100 per box of 200 lozenges.
Williams also paid for Cuccinelli to go to a meeting in Kentucky, and gave him the use of a lake house and boat. Gov. Bob McDonnell also reported receiving “lodging and entertainment” worth $2,268 from Williams.
Overall, McDonnell was the top gift-getter, reporting $55,503 in gifts.
That includes $12,322 from Alexander B. McMurtrie Jr. for flights and travel to South Bend, Ind., where McDonnell spoke at Notre Dame—his alma mater.
Cuccinelli came in second, reporting $35,287 in gifts. That includes his $6,700 box of supplements and $10,000 for transportation to a forum in South Carolina from John G. Rocovich Jr.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling reported $11,434 in gifts, including NASCAR tickets in Martinsville and Richmond, a trip to the Homestead resort, a tablet computer and various other sporting tickets and meals.
Dominion power got Del. Joe Morrissey tickets to the Final Four VCU basketball game in Texas ($1,288), various UR and VCU basketball tickets and transportation for Del. Chris Peace ($1,277), and six Redskins tickets and food for Del. Sal Iaquinto ($1,427). Dominion also paid for a concert at Wolftrap and a football game for Del. Tom Rust, and Redskins tickets for a number of lawmakers, including Del. Mark Cole, R–Spotsylvania ($564).
Morrissey also reported that the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association spent $750 for continuing legal education classes for him. Morrissey’s law license was revoked years ago, and he’s trying to get it back.
House Speaker Bill Howell, R–Stafford, reported various trips to legislative conferences, including $2,070 to go to the State Legislative Leaders Foundation conference in Charleston S.C.; $895 from the American Legislative Exchange Council for its annual meeting in New Orleans; and $840 for a Republican Legislative Campaign Committee meeting in Naples, Fla.
The entire list can be found at vpap.org.
Chelyen Davis: 804/343-2245
cdavis@freelancestar.com
