From the Democratic Party of Virginia:
Countdown: Top 10 Moments Cuccinelli and Williams Might Have Discussed Million Dollar Tax Suit
As the Roanoke Times reported yesterday, Ken Cuccinelli is denying Virginians their right to know whether or not he and Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams discussed Star’s lawsuit over more than $1 million in unpaid taxes while Williams was lavishing Cuccinelli with gifts and trips.
As Virginians continue to ask for answers, below is a helpful list of the top 10 moments when Star Scientific’s outstanding tax bill and the ensuing lawsuit may have come up between Cuccinelli and Williams.
10. When Cuccinelli and Williams met at a dinner where Cuccinelli was a stand-in for Governor McDonnell.
9. In a text message as Cuccinelli was boarding the $600 flight to New York Williams bought him.
8. While passing the mashed potatoes at the Thanksgiving Dinner Williams catered for Cuccinelli and his family at his Smith Mountain Lake home.
7. After Williams showed Cuccinelli and his staff where the spare towels are at the Goochland County mansion where they stayed after Cuccinelli took office in 2010.
6. After a vigorous knee boarding session during the week-long Summer vacation Williams provided for Cuccinelli and his family at his Smith Mountain Lake house.
5. Shortly after Cuccinelli landed in Kentucky where Williams flew him to campaign for Republican candidate for Attorney General Todd P’Pool.
4. When Cuccinelli made his original stock purchase in the company, 8 years after Star Scientific was assessed with the initial tax bill that resulted in the lawsuit.
3. When he was placing his second purchase order for thousands in additional stock in Williams’ company AFTER Star Scientific filed suit against Virginia.
2. While Williams was explaining the benefits of the $6,000 worth of Anatabloc he had just given him.
1. Over a phone call after Cuccinelli asked Williams to help him remember all of the gifts he “forgot” on his Statements of Economic Interest.
Each (or all) of these moments could be the point at which Williams said to Cuccinelli:
“Hey, uh, I owe Virginia taxpayers a million dollars. I’d really rather just keep that money, so I’m probably going to/just did file a suit to get out of paying. Just FYI.”
For now, Cuccinelli is stonewalling and refusing to answer which of these opportunities (or some other) he and Williams took to discuss his outstanding tax bill and ensuing lawsuit. But that won’t undo the damage Cuccinelli and his scandal has done to Virginia’s reputation for transparency and accountability in government.
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