The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Old Dominion University has been served legal papers in a criminal investigation of the school's aborted $40,000-a-year contract with state Del. Phil Hamilton.
That acknowledgment came from ODU this week in response to a Freedom of Information Act request from The Virginian-Pilot.
The university said it has received three documents related to the Hamilton matter but declined to identify them in detail or provide copies. Two are being withheld because they relate to a criminal investigation and the third pursuant to a court order prohibiting its disclosure.
The university's response was "guided by the school's desire to cooperate with investigators, and to refrain from any action that may jeopardize that endeavor," Patrick Kelly, ODU's general counsel, wrote.
Word of a federal grand jury investigation surfaced last week when the Newport News school system, Hamilton's part-time employer, confirmed that its records had been subpoenaed.
ODU's Center for Teacher Quality and Educational Leadership paid the Newport News Republican as an independent contractor for two years after he secured the center's startup funding from the 2007 General Assembly. It has received $500,000 a year in state money since then.
ODU and Hamilton canceled their contract last month after e-mails made clear that the veteran lawmaker had been angling for the job before and during his pursuit of the state funding. Hamilton's e-mails were sent from his Newport News schools e-mail account.
A Hamilton campaign adviser said Friday the lawmaker has not been served personally with any legal papers.
Hamilton also faces an inquiry by a House of Delegates ethics panel. The state's conflict-of-interest law bars lawmakers from accepting money for services performed in the scope of their legislative duties.
In addition, ODU is conducting an internal audit of the arrangement.
Hamilton has rejected bipartisan calls to resign from his House seat, which he has held for two decades, and has expressed confidence that ultimately he will be vindicated.
He faces opposition for re-election this fall from Newport News attorney Robin Abbott, a Democrat.
Pilot writer Julian Walker contributed to this report
Bill Sizemore, (757) 446-2276, bill.sizemore@pilotonline.com
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Hamilton/ODU
I agree with last poster. Mr. Sizemore and the Pilot are doing a good job with this story. If they continue digging, they will find a lot more.
I hope ODU fries
I hope heads roll, they clean house, some big fines are handed out to ODU. Hit em where it hurts....this just shows ODU will do anything to get what they want no matter who it screws....sounds familiar K.D. of the ODU Police?? And I dont know if Im the only one, but Im sick of hearing about ODU Football. Just what the world needs.....another football team!
ODU and Hamilton
It appears the investigation into the arrangement between ODU officials and Del. Hamilton is going to be a very thorough one and should be a teaching moment for all concerned. My personal thanks to the Virginian Pilot and Mr. Sizemore for staying on top of this and doing the hard investigative reporting the public needs in these kinds of activities.