Today is the deadline for pre-trial motions in former Governor’s Mansion chef Todd Schneider’s criminal trial. Republican gubernatorial nominee and sitting Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli recused himself and his office from this case as questions mounted about his ethics scandal with Star Scientific and CEO Jonnie Williams, who paid Schneider for $15,000 in catering for Gov. Bob McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding.
Cuccinelli’s conflict also forced him to recuse himself from representing the Governor in this case and other matters related to Star Scientific. That recusal has led to private attorneys billing taxpayers for more than $140,000in work that Cuccinelli would have done had he not bought Star Scientific stock and accept trips and gifts from the company and Williams while he was supposed to be opposing the company in a lawsuit over unpaid taxes.
“Every step in this case is another reminder for Virginians that Ken Cuccinelli put his own financial interests ahead of the job taxpayers elected him to do,” said DPVA spokesman Brian Coy. “Virginians need a Governor who will put all of his energy into moving the Commonwealth forward. We face too many challenges to let Ken Cuccinelli and his ethics scandals continue to cost taxpayers and damage our reputation for clean government.”