Democratic Roanoke, VA City Councilor Robert Jeffrey Jr., who was endorsed last year by U.S. Sen Tim Kaine and Gov. Ralph Northam, was recently indicted by a grand jury on two felony counts of embezzlement.
The charges are not related to Jeffrey’s service on city council, as he is accused of taking money from the Northwest Neighborhood Environmental Organization while working as a property manager.
Said the allegations in this case involve tens of thousands of dollars, according to Roanoke Commonwealth’s Attorney Don Caldwell, who is an Independent.
In a tweet last year the day before the elections, the Roanoke City Democratic Committee proudly announced that “U.S. Senator Tim Kaine has endorsed our full Democratic Ticket! Mayor Sherman Lea for re-election and Robert Jeffrey Jr, Peter Volosin, and Trish White-Boyd for City Council.”
***ENDORSEMENT ALERT***
— Roanoke City Democratic Committee – Roanoke, VA (@RoanokeDemocrat) November 2, 2020
The Roanoke City Democratic Committee is proud to announce, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine has endorsed our full Democratic Ticket! Mayor Sherman Lea for re-election and Robert Jeffrey Jr, Peter Volosin, and Trish White-Boyd for City Council. #ForwardRoanoke pic.twitter.com/mCvtnLCzLI
Northam came to Roanoke last year a week before the election and spoke at the socially distanced event. He endorsed the entire Democratic ticket, which included Jeffrey.
Caldwell was stoic when speaking about the charges and said, “I always make the point that Mr. Jeffrey is presumed innocent and the facts will be developed in the course of the case in court, but basically, it’s an allegation of taking money that was intended for one purpose and using for purposes of his own. That’s what all embezzlement basically is.”
According to WDBJ7, Jeffrey was in his seat, when Roanoke City Council held a meeting yesterday morning and in a brief phone conversation with the news outlet later that afternoon, he declined to comment on the allegations, saying he needed to consult with his attorney.
Caldwell said he expects an August docket date to make sure Jeffrey has an attorney, WDBJ7 reported as well.
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