Spruill's first job should be voters

THE SCANDAL, as it so often is in Virginia statehouse politics, isn't what's illegal. It's what the law allows.

The latest loophole in Virginia's ethics laws has been brought to you by Democratic Dels. Brian Moran of Alexandria and Lionell Spruill Sr. of Chesapeake.

Moran, who is running for governor, has hired Spruill to help attract support from black voters across the state. Spruill received his first $7,500 monthly paycheck in January, according to the records compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project. His total compensation through May comes to $40,000.

No other legislator is earning a salary doing work for a political campaign, and the financial relationship raises questions about both men's judgment.

Spruill admits he met earlier this year with Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds, a Bath Democrat also testing gubernatorial waters. Spruill insists his decision to support Moran has nothing to do with the consulting fees, but Deeds never offered to pay him.

Spruill has an impressive network of political contacts, and even national candidates like Hillary Clinton have sought his support. He typically stumps for other Democrats for free, although he received a one-time fee of $5,000 from Mark Warner's gubernatorial campaign.

His appearance on Moran's payroll, at a premium salary, 22 months before the gubernatorial election is more troubling, and it smacks of machine politics.

Moran and Spruill are both in the minority in the House of Delegates, and there is no evidence and little opportunity for a quid pro quo, but the potential for abuse is obvious. If Moran is elected governor, would he tap Spruill for a Cabinet or agency post? Would he offer budget goodies to benefit Spruill's district?

A scandal in Missouri over a similar ethics loophole is a reminder of the potential consequences when the line is blurred between elected representatives and political agents.

Outgoing House Speaker Rod Jetton has worked as a fundraiser and political consultant to other legislators since 2004. This year, he assigned high-profile legislation to a freshman lawmaker who later hired Jetton to run his congressional campaign. The outcry led Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder to call this month for a law banning legislators from moonlighting as paid political consultants.

Moran and Spruill have the opportunity to spare Virginia that future. The pair ought to sever the financial ties and collaborate on a new project: co-sponsoring legislation making it illegal for any elected official to serve as a paid political consultant.