Virginia Democrats Sue Republicans Over Eavesdropping Scandal

AP ^ | 3-19-04

[Indy Pendance]

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Democratic lawmakers filed a federal lawsuit Friday against several former prominent Republicans for eavesdropping on Democratic conference calls in a scandal that led to the downfall of the state Republican Party executive director.

The suit accuses the former Republican officials of "wanton, willful, reckless and malicious" behavior by listening to and recording the two conference calls during which Democrats discussed legal strategy over the Republicans' 2001 redistricting plan.

The Democrats seek unspecified statutory and punitive damages.

"There are legitimate questions outstanding about who had what information and when they got it," Democratic state Sen. Creigh Deeds told the Danville Register & Bee on Friday.

The lawsuit names former state GOP executive director Edmund Matricardi, former state party chairman Gary Thomson, former House of Delegates Speaker S. Vance Wilkins Jr., and one of Wilkins' former aides.

Matricardi declined to comment Friday, while Wilkins called the lawsuit "a fishing expedition." Wilkins received briefings on the two conference calls while he was in office.

Thomson did not respond to requests for comment. However, state Republican Party Chairperson Kate Obenshain Griffin released a statement distancing the party from the scandal and noting that those named no longer work for the GOP.

Matricardi pleaded guilty to intercepting a wire communication and was sentenced last July to three years' probation. Thomson pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the scheme, and resigned as party chairman.

[CzarNicky]

I wonder if the Democrats will ever pay for eavesdropping on cell phone conversations of top Republicans. I won't hold my breath waiting.

[Vinnie]

The perps weren't a couple from Florida with a scanner were they?

Oh no, that was the dims trick.
You know the one that resulted in the couple having to give up their Metamucil for one week.

[lizma]

Bottom line: The Rats in VA are reallllly POed that the Repub house is showing some backbone when it comes to their budget. Dems hate to hear "no new taxes" and so the smear attack begins.