Joseph D. Morrissey used to be one of the most outspoken members of Virginia’s House of Delegates, a habitual speechmaker who gave a lengthy soliloquy on the House floor nearly every day.
These days Morrissey, who is currently spending his nights in jail after a sex scandal involving a teenager, is a near-silent pariah as state lawmakers in both parties try to figure out what to do with him.
Republican House Speaker William J. Howell and Democratic Minority Leader David J. Toscano made clear at the beginning of 2015 legislative session that they were considering some form of punishment for Morrissey, including a censure or expulsion. But nearly three weeks — and four new felony indictments against Morrissey later — they said they are still weighing their options and it’s not clear what, if any, action the House plans to take.
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Alan Suderman can be reached at www.twitter.com/AlanSuderman.
