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Mayor Jones: Report finds no criminal wrongdoing
From the Mayor’s office:
Statement on Conclusion of Independent Investigation
RICHMOND, VA – Mayor Dwight C. Jones issued the following statement concerning the findings issued today by Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney:
“The report issued this morning found no criminal wrongdoing by me or members of my administration. More than 10 months ago, I requested an independent investigation into concerns raised about the separation between my administration and First Baptist Church of South Richmond. I cooperated extensively in the investigation to ensure any concerns were carefully examined and dispelled. After thoroughly reviewing my email, examining City and church records, and interviewing scores of witnesses, the investigation determined that no laws were violated. I was confident my administration strictly adhered to the law, and I am pleased, but not surprised, the Virginia State Police and Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney agree. Although the investigation took longer than expected, it was thorough and conclusive, and I am glad it is behind us.
In a report issued today, m Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring does not recommend filing charges related to alleged improprieties and use of City Of Richmond resources at the First Baptist Church Iron Bridge Road Construction Project.
TAGGED: Dwight Jones
Just another “extremely careless”, i.e. unethical, politician who won’t be punished…..
$100000 a year to work at a church? How far would this go to provide for the needy in our city – something that churchgoers profess to do….(and I’m not bashing religion or Christians, just stating my thoughts).
Very glad to see the ENTIRE Jones administration gone soon! He’s been nothing but an embarrassment to the city. Get gone!
^^^^ What she said!
While I think that this was sloppy, I don’t get the disdain for Mayor Jones. I think his administration mis-stepped a few times, but did very well by the East End.
Given, the Washington football team deal on it’s face didn’t turn out as well as sold. And yes, he also spent a lot of political capital on the Shockoe stadium notion, to no end.
The Jones administration also brought the city it’s first new middle school and high school in decades, and a handful of new elementary schools. He also replaced the embarrassment that was the old city jail. This alone should be enough for Jones to regarded well on the way out.
Mayor Jones has also focused on pushing back against the city’s poverty rate, with support for programs and projects that will directly impact our quality of life here in the East End. The coming grocery store, redevelopment of Creighton, and an emphasis on 25th/Nine Mile will pay off after Jones is gone. Look back in 10 years and remember this.
FWIW, the administration’s relationship with Bon Secours as part of the Washington football team thing is also bringing us the new Parsley’s building on Nine Mile. I don’t know how long that spot had been vacant, but I do know that it’s going to be something awesome in the very near future.
I was just thinking the same thing, John. This administration, particularly the last 4 years, has changed RVA for the better. Much progress has been made in regards to poverty, crime, and development. I truly believe the administration want a better Richmond, much like all of us. The momentum we are riding is exciting.
John and James – I think a lot of people feel that RVA is doing better despite Jones. I feel that the infrastructure of the city has not fared well under the current administration. The streets are full of potholes, sidewalks are in disrepair, the condition of the city parks is deplorable. Church Hill has done amazingly well in the last few years but I feel the majority of it is the residents of the East End pulling themselves up by their boot straps. We pay a lot in city taxes. In addition, we personally spend most of our money in the city. I don’t feel I get basic services for the taxes that we pay. I think Jones had an agenda but his agenda did not have much that benefits the tax payers of RVA. My opinion.
#9 James Murphy – What exact progress has been made with regards to crime and poverty? The murder rate is significantly up and rising while our poverty rate is still about 25% of the citizens. And, please don’t talk about the fancy titled Office of Community Wealth Building which, as best as I can tell, is yet another city agency of well paid employees that has done nothing that has actually reduced poverty in Richmond.
jones, in a recent RTD article expressed confusion as to why/regret that the city poverty rate had increased in his 7-8 years. is it somewhere around 28% now?
Richmond’s made huge strides in the last couple of decades, much in spite of, rather than because of, the city’s administration from Jones to council. There’s a growing number of taxpayers who think like #s 10 and 11 (part of the reason for Trump) and much of the reason for this can be boiled down to what #12 stated about Jones’ expressed confusion. Confusion, cluelessness, a condition shared by a huge number of politicians, elected and otherwise, all across the nation: what?
@13…well stated. And, thank God for Trump!
Me personally I didn’t like Dwight as a mayor. Yes he did alot for Churchill but what about Southside? Jefferson davis, hull street and Midlothian has looked the same for almost a decade or longer. Richmond consists of more than Churchill.
Yes he built a new school called MLK but what about all of the misconduct that takes place in the school? A new building won’t change the mindset of the students who go there. Plus, remember this is the same mayor who wanted to shut down five schools, but didn’t attend any of the public forums or city council meetings when the kids and parents protested. That’s why Doug Wilder said that he seems disengaged.
Yes, he put up a new jail, but jails are businesses and incarcerating people brings in money. Yes a new jail needed to be built but you also needed a more humane institution where people could be housed. The city of Richmond brings in alot of money from housing inmates, court fines, inmate canteen, phone calls, charging inmates two dollars a day for being there, etc. And sheriff CT woody pushed for that jail and most of the policies that’s implemented in that jail is enforced by CT woody, meaning that Dwight took alot of credit for that jail that he didn’t deserve. The city wanted to put up a new jail since the year 2000 but none of the sheriff’s at that time cared enough to push for it.
And since this is his last year it seems like he doesn’t care about the crime rates of 2016 and I haven’t heard him say anything about it. He did a good job his first few years regarding crime but this year, he, and the police chief’s handling of the crime here has been sloppy and lazy.
He didn’t do anything about poverty. Tearing down Creighton isn’t going to reduce poverty when you have poverty In Southside as well, and as I stated, he neglected that entire area.Have he ever heard of hillside court? The trans woman who was killed last month was in Southside. you can’t govern one part of the city and neglect the other.
I have mixed views on the bike races and the redskins camp, but in my honest opinion l don’t see what the bike races accomplished. I think that he’s going back to where he belongs, behind a pulpit selling hope