A federal grand jury is investigating the situation regarding Republican incumbent Delegate Phil Hamilton. According to The Daily Press and The Virginian-Pilot, a subpoena and a search warrant were served on the Newport News Public Schools last Wednesday. Neither story mentions why this was not reported earlier in the week.
A federal subpoena requires the recipient to turn over documents. A search warrant allows federal agents to conduct their own search and remove documents and other evidence. Unlike state grand juries, which are presented evidence after an investigation has been conducted by police, federal grand juries are used as an investigative tool. A federal grand jury investigation can last months or even years and may or may not result in criminal charges.
The search warrant is interesting. The Shad Plank report may be why:
In response to a Freedom of Information Act request to Old Dominion, the Daily Press obtained stacks of emails detailing discussions between Hamilton and Blackburn and other Old Dominion officials regarding funding for the center.
However, when the Daily Press made a similar request to Newport News Public Schools the search through eight-months of records turned up only a single innocuous note between Hamilton and an Old Dominion official. This dearth of information was striking considering the amount of emails stored at Old Dominion that originated from Hamilton’s Newport News account.
So far, ODU has not been served with a subpoena or search warrant.
Calls for Hamilton’s resignation have come from nearly every quarter. Hamilton has resisted the call and issued the following statement:
Considering the amount – and the tone – of news coverage afforded this story by certain media outlets, it is understandable that an investigation would be initiated. I welcome the inquiry and it is my hope that it will be completed swiftly. I am confident that the investigation will confirm my innocence, and I look forward to continuing my service to the people of Newport News and James City County.
Friday was the last day for the Republican party to nominate a substitute candidate to appear on the ballot.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Every Republican I talk to is confident that Hamilton is going to win in November. Can you serve from prison, guess he will try to get on work release!
“Friday was the last day for the Republican party to nominate a substitute candidate to appear on the ballot.”
We’ll see whether they try to pull a Frank “the Lout” Lautenberg for Robert “the Torch” Torricelli switch.
As usual, it’s not the crime, but the attempted cover-up that gets you.
Blackburn from ODU should be Hamilton’s cell mate. It takes 2 to engage in pay to play and they are both crooks.
Its hard to believe the Republicans are that confident. Have there been any public polls since this stuff happened?
AFAIK, there hasn’t been any polling, except for the two questions in the PPP VA poll.
“Its hard to believe the Republicans are that confident”
Have you talked to one of them lately? They are so deluded, so out-of-touch with reality, that it isn’t hard to believe at all! So what if our guy is a low-life crook, who used his office for personal gain? They will try to divert your attention to something, they claim a Democrat did! The truly funny thing is, the majority of Virginian’s aren’t either Dem or Rep, they are independents, and could care less! They just don’t want crooks in office.
The funniest read in all of this was the Daily press interviewing Mike Wade of Hampton! Talk about a clueless individual! Tooooooooo funnnnnnnnny!
Hopefully, when the Republicans lose the majority in the House, they will throw the idiots, who led to their downfall, out, and start over with all new, fresh faces. I say, “hopefully” but lets face it, doubtful.
Shamilton is toast.