Bacon’s Rebellion on “Tobacco Patch Corruption”

Bacon’s Rebellion has an interesting discussion on corruption at the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission.  It’s yet another example of “good government,” Republican style, this time the Jim “Drove Virginia Into a Ditch” Gilmore administration. Heckuva job!

John W. Forbes II, state secretary of finance under former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to federal wire fraud charges. It is by far the biggest scandal involving a state cabinet-level official in years.

The case also raises questions about a state entity that is supposed to use money obtained in a massive 1998 lawsuit settlement against four major tobacco companies for the public good.

Also, see Waldo Jaquith for commentary on this issue, including an important point: “That’s our money that was stolen by our secretary of finance.”

By the way, Del. Terry Kilgore (R-Scott) – 2005 Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore’s brother – is now the commission’s chairman. In addition, I’m told that Jerry Kilgore’s wife was the head of the commission when it was first created. Maybe they should rename this the Kilgore/Gilmore Good Government Commission?  Heh.

Photo credit: Chris Starnes/LENOWISCO PDC