STERLING, Va. – On a political map Loudoun County has always been solidly Republican. But, even so, Republicans there appear to be at odds over a controversial supervisor.
After allegations arose that Supervisor Eugene DelGaudio, R-Sterling, misused his staff for political fundraising, he was censured by the Republican-controlled Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. The board also took control of his budget and staff aides were removed.
But DelGaudio, cleared of criminal charges by a grand jury before the censure, is fighting back. He says the response is all because of his other job with the Public Advocate of the United States, a right-leaning policy group.
“So, when you go to people and say, ‘he’s president of Public Advocate, a nonprofit that defends the Boy Scouts of America and defends traditional marriage’ – string me up?” he says.
“These guys act like World War III has erupted around them. But World War III is coming from the left.”
But Scott York, R-At Large, chairman of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, says the decision wasn’t about politics.
“When they’re in there in that office, they should be abiding by the guidelines and the rules,” says York.
“He has two other employees that nobody knew about until recently – nobody has seen those two employees.”
DelGaudio, up for reelection in 2015, says he plans to run, but a recall petition is currently being circulated by Democrats.
WTOP’s Hank Silverberg contributed to this report.
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