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The dismissal of two Virginia universities’ attorneys by the state’s new Republican legal professional common is elevating questions of political interference in larger training.
Legal professional Common Jason S. Miyares fired Timothy J. Heaphy, counsel for the College of Virginia, and Brian Walther, counsel for George Mason College, shortly earlier than the AG was sworn in on January 15, The Washington Put up reported. Heaphy was on go away from UVa to work for the U.S. Home of Representatives on the investigation into the January 6, 2021, rebellion on the U.S. Capitol.
Heaphy and Walther had been amongst roughly 30 staffers whom Miyares dismissed. Each are Democrats. UVa‘s and GMU‘s university-counsel web sites each specify that the state legal professional common appoints attorneys of their places of work.
The removals comply with one other controversial training choice by the state’s new management. On his first day in workplace, Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican who highlighted training in his candidacy, issued a directive prohibiting state businesses — together with establishments of upper training — from requiring workers to be vaccinated towards the coronavirus. Public faculties, together with the College of Virginia and George Mason, have rescinded their vaccination mandates for workers.
Democrats have criticized these actions as politically motivated. U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria, Democrat of Virginia and a member of the January 6 panel, informed the Put up that she was “involved that somebody able like this (on the college) can be fired for political causes.” Luria couldn’t be reached for remark by The Chronicle. Victoria LaCivita, Miyares’s spokeswoman, has not responded to The Chronicle’s telephone and electronic mail requests for remark; she informed the Put up it’s common for the incoming legal professional common to nominate attorneys that share his “philosophy and authorized method.”
Heaphy had served as UVa’s lead counsel for 3 years earlier than happening go away and was employed after ending an unbiased investigation of the “Unite the Proper” rally in Charlottesville that turned lethal in August 2017. Earlier than that, he served as U.S. legal professional for the Western District of Virginia. He earned his bachelor’s and legislation levels from UVa.
In an electronic mail assertion to The Chronicle, Heaphy expressed disappointment however mentioned that he’s “assured that the workplace will proceed to supply high quality service because the college continues to thrive within the days to return.”
“College leaders are grateful to Tim for his excellent service to our group and disenchanted to see it come to an finish,” mentioned Brian Coy, a spokesman for UVa.
In an electronic mail assertion to The Chronicle, John D. Hollis, a spokesman at George Mason, expressed disappointment at Walther’s dismissal.
“Brian Walther has been a revered and valued member of the college group for 22 years, together with his 5 years as College Counsel,” Hollis mentioned. “He has performed himself in knowledgeable method and performed an admirable job at Mason.”
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