Virginia lawmaker who spends nights in jail cell, sworn in to new term

RICHMOND, Va. — A Virginia lawmaker newly re-elected despite serving time for a sex scandal hitched a ride from the jailhouse to the statehouse Wednesday for his swearing-in, even as legislative leaders discussed how to throw him out. Joseph D. Morrissey, who was re-elected Tuesday, put his right hand in the air and pledged to uphold the constitutions of the United States and Virginia. Underneath his suit, he wore an ankle bracelet. Morrissey currently spends his nights in jail for a contributing to the delinquency of a minor conviction. Prosecutors accused him of having sex with a 17-year-old girl who worked for him. Morrissey and the teenager, now 18 and pregnant, have denied it. Morrissey said he didn’t find out he had won re-election until after he had returned to jail. “If you look at history, people that have been in my situation, if they run again, their margin increases more,” he said, comparing himself to civil rights leaders. Morrissey is one of the General Assembly’s most flamboyant members, and has a history of fistfights, contempt of court citations and disbarment. He announced he was resigning his seat in December after his conviction, but promptly began running for his old seat as an independent after he said Democrats blocked him from the party nominating process. Officials in both parties have denounced Morrissey’s criminal history, but as of Wednesday appeared to have not decided what they should do with him. “We’re still considering all our options,” said House Democratic Minority Leader David J. Toscano. Wednesday marked the first day of the 2015 legislative session, and Morrissey was late to arrive because his car wouldn’t start at the parking lot of the Henrico County jail. Morrissey said he had to get a ride to the Capitol with a Washington Post reporter waiting to interview him. It would take a two-thirds vote of the 100-member House to expel a member — something that hasn’t happened since 1876, according to House Clerk G. Paul Nardo. Morrissey could also be censured by his colleagues and blocked from having any committee duties. Prosecutors said nude photo of the 17-year-old were found on Morrissey’s cellphone and allegedly shared with a friend. The young woman, who denies they had sex, is now 18 and pregnant but has not identified the father. Morrissey, a bachelor who has fathered three children out of wedlock with three different women, has denied wrongdoing but entered the misdemeanor plea to avoid felony charges punishable by years in prison and automatic loss of his legislative position.