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Home / Virginia Conflict of Interest: Dem Gov Candidate Pays Dem Legislator $7500/Month for Campaign WorkVirginia Conflict of Interest: Dem Gov Candidate Pays Dem Legislator $7500/Month for Campaign Work
Last Updated on Tuesday, 22 July 2008 09:51 Written by rslcpol Tuesday, 22 July 2008 09:51
But what about those votes?
From Hampton Roads:
Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., of Chesapeake is being paid $7,500 a month as a consultant for the 2009 Democratic gubernatorial campaign of Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria.
Spruill, a prominent Democratic political organizer, appears to be the only state legislator earning a salary for working in a Virginia campaign.
Spruill said he met early this year with the two Democrats vying for governor next year: Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.
“I decided to work for Brian Moran because he’s the best candidate and I want to win next November,” Spruill said Monday.
Deeds never offered to pay Spruill. “Sen. Deeds spoke to him and asked him for help but did not offer him a paid position on the campaign,” said Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds.
Spruill, a retired phone company worker, said money has nothing to do with his endorsement.
“That’s no big money I’m getting,” Spruill said. “Anyone could have matched it.”
Moran’s campaign committee announced in March that Spruill would serve as a consultant. He received $5,000 in February for his efforts and $7,500 a month since, according to a campaign finance report filed by Moran last week.
“Del. Spruill is heading up outreach in Hampton Roads and statewide in the African American community,” said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Moran. “He has a tremendous network around the state and already has done a great job introducing Brian around the state.”