WASHINGTON — Former Virginia delegate Joseph Morrissey, who resigned his seat last month amid allegations of a sexual relationship with his 17-year-old receptionist, has won reelection to his seat on Tuesday night.
Morrissey entered an Alford plea to a misdemeanor charge regarding the alleged relationship. In such a plea, the defendant does not admit guilt but acknowledges prosecutors have enough evidence for a conviction.
Morrissey formerly served as a Democrat, but ran as an independent in Tuesday’s special election.
House of Delegates Speaker Bill Howell said in a statement that Morrissey’s actions “fall grievously short of the standards of a public servant in the House of Delegates” and said the House has a number of options to address the conduct of its members.
“These options are set out in the Constitution of Virginia and the rules of the House,” Howell said. “Working with House Minority Leader David Toscano and other members of the House, we will begin the process of assessing these options in order to determine the appropriate path forward.”
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