Morrissey, 56, entered an Alford plea Friday to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor in a case where prosecutors accused him of both having sex with and sharing a naked photograph of a 17-year-old girl. Alford pleas allow the accused to maintain innocence but acknowledge that there is enough evidence for a conviction.
He was sentenced to 12 months in jail with six suspended. However, his work-release arrangement would allow him to not only continue practicing law as a private attorney, but writing it in the General Assembly during the 2015 legislative session.
Democrats and Republicans have agreed that such an arrangement would be intolerable in a capitol that, while racked by recent scandals, is still revered as Thomas Jefferson’s political home.
“In light of his conviction on these disturbing charges, the Governor believes Del. Morrissey should resign immediately,” Brian Coy, a spokesman for Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), said Saturday. Attorney General Mark R. Herring (D) put out a separate call for Morrissey’s resignation. And House Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) said before Morrissey’s announcement that his caucus was “actively exploring all available options, including removal.”
The chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, Pat Mullins, likewise called Morrissey “a disgrace not only to himself, but to the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
