RICHMOND
Del. Lionell Spruill Sr., of Chesapeake is being paid $7,500 a month as a consultant for the 2009 Democratic gubernatorial campaign of Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria.
Spruill, a prominent Democratic political organizer, appears to be the only state legislator earning a salary for working in a Virginia campaign.
Spruill said he met early this year with the two Democrats vying for governor next year: Moran and state Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County.
"I decided to work for Brian Moran because he's the best candidate and I want to win next November," Spruill said Monday.
Deeds never offered to pay Spruill. "Sen. Deeds spoke to him and asked him for help but did not offer him a paid position on the campaign," said Peter Jackson, a spokesman for Deeds.
Spruill, a retired phone company worker, said money has nothing to do with his endorsement.
"That's no big money I'm getting," Spruill said. "Anyone could have matched it."
Moran's campaign committee announced in March that Spruill would serve as a consultant. He received $5,000 in February for his efforts and $7,500 a month since, according to a campaign finance report filed by Moran last week.
"Del. Spruill is heading up outreach in Hampton Roads and statewide in the African American community," said Jesse Ferguson, a spokesman for Moran. "He has a tremendous network around the state and already has done a great job introducing Brian around the state."
There are no rules in Virginia about legislators being paid to work in other campaigns. The General Assembly meets only a few months a year, and most legislators have other jobs.
Spruill, 61, said he has been paid in the past for working in other campaigns. He is vice-chairman of the House Democratic Caucus and was one of the key Virginia supporters this year for U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's unsuccessful presidential campaign.
Warren Fiske, (804) 697-1565, warren.fiske@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Google
Yahoo
Politicians
As usual politicians continue to make the news by doing things that appear to be unethical. I think what Spruill is doing sends the wrong message. I guess he may not care just as long as he is lining his pocket with money. But you know I don't blame him, we the people who voted for him are getting exactly what we deserve.
I wonder how it feels
I wonder how it feels to be bought and paid for? Thelma Drakes knows, because of her relationship with Bush. Now it looks like Spruill also knows. Gees!
If I only knew....................
If I only knew he needed a job I would have offered him one......
7500 a month not big money
thats $90,000 a year plus the $5000 signing bonus thats $95,000 not to bad for a part time job. where can i get an application ? all politicians are crooks but they are not in it for the money... RIGHT!!!!
votes for sale
I love the comment that any one could have matched it. It's not a lot of money. Sounds like he sold out cheap. If you are in politics for the money, you are in politics for the wrong reason. I am sure he has a nice block of voters for sale that are not aware they are being used in this manner. Sounds like there is a new "master" in the house directing his peoples how to vote.
$7,500 a month is no big money?
Spruill said $7,500 a month is no big money. Who is he kidding? Wouldn't it be nice if we all made that kind of $$'s?
Conflict
If Spruill was on Moran's payroll, how could he vote on Moran's legislation?