A disturbing state of affairs may have overtaken the Virginia State Board of Elections. The allegations detailed below are disturbing and outrageous. Given that many of the events have been taking place over the past many months, one wonders how all the newspapers in Virginia missed the story.
The Virginia State Board of Elections is charged with overseeing elections in the Commonwealth. Former employees and respected associations of election officials have made allegations of racial discrimination, dishonesty and outright thuggery by officials at the State Board of Elections (SBE), in particular Secretary Nancy Rodrigues. Recall that the Virginia SBE is the entity that had to be sued by the McCain campaign because they were not sending ballots to overseas military voters in a timely fashion.
The Board has three members appointed by the Governor. They are currently Jean Cunningham, Harold Pyon and Nancy Rodrigues. Rodrigues is the Secretary of the SBE and as a practical matter exercises day to day control over the operations of the SBE. It is our understanding that Rodrigues could be replaced immediately for cause. If the allegations below are true, that can’t happen too soon. Sources tell ElectionLawCenter.com that Pyon has nothing to do with the bad behavior of Rodrigues.
J. David Allen was an employee at the SBE who relays events that may constitute systemic racial discrimination at the SBE. ElectionLawCenter.com has obtained documents describing Secretary Rodrigues’ management of the SBE. He says that she warned him to carefully monitor minority employees. He says:
“Nancy would refer to minority staff as if each individual had to be carefully monitored, for fear that they might violate some policy. In regards to the monitoring of staff, Nancy would reward non-minority staff by being lenient, when they could provide information as to possible policy violations by minorities. Rise Miller, whom I supervised, was one such individual. She would provide Nancy with information, substantiated or not, that could lead to disciplinary action against minority coworkers. In return, Ms. Miller was allowed to abuse state time and use state equipment for personal use. “ Perhaps the Times Dispatch will follow up on the specifics of abuse of time and state equipment.
Allen goes further in the document: “The longer that I worked at SBE, the more I realized the discrepancies between how minorities and non-minorities were treated by Nancy, and later by James Alcorn (Deputy Secretary).“ Allen was given positive evaluations yet his term at SBE was not continued, according to the document. Allen further describes the Secretary implementing a monitoring program of minority employees but not white employees. Obviously if true, this sort of policy raises questions about the fitness of certain officials to carry out their duties.
Not surprisingly, ElectionLawCenter.com has received reports of terrible morale within the SBE caused by this ham-handed management style.
The story does not end with the allegations of J. David Allen.
The Voter Registration Association of Virginia, the association of all the county registrars, wrote Governor McDonnell alerting him to purported unprofessional actions of Secretary Rodrigues. In a letter obtained by ElectionLawCenter.com, the President of the Association alerts Governor McDonnell about a wide range of unprofessional actions by Rodrigues. They state in the letter:
* “The leadership of VRAV is very concerned that a person whose repeated unprofessional actions of deception, deceit, and untruthfulness towards the professional election community is the perceived state guardian of the integrity of the electoral system in Virginia. We understand that you did not appoint her and that her term is drawing to a close, but she is now part of your administration. You are the only one we have to reach out to in order to save the electoral system in Virginia from these actions that are clearly dishonorable.”
* “Secretary Rodrigues misrepresented the nature” of a legislative amendment to the Governor “as having no impact on current training operations.”
* “Secretary Rodrigues misrepresented the amendments as having no fiscal impact on localities.”
The dispute arises out of legislation and representations made to the Governor’s office about the impact this bill would have on local election officials.
But there is more. ElectionLawCenter.com has learned that Secretary Rodrigues may have sent the state police to the home of an employee for spurious reasons to intimidate the employee. Moreover, the victimized employee has reported the behavior to the Governor’s office.
The employee worked for the SBE for over 20 years. While still employed and on sick leave, two state officials were dispatched to the employee’s home on June 29, 2010. The two state officials sought to confiscate the employee’s laptop and cell phone. Thereafter, at 10:00 p.m. at night, Virginia State Police Special Agent T.M. Chrisley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge 1st. Sgt. Harvey A. Smith and Trooper C.B. Womble from the Virginia State Police, and an SBE employee were sent to confiscate the laptop and cell phone from the sick employee.
A document obtained by ElectionLawCenter.com states “Special Agent Chrisley stated he has known Nancy Rodrigues for awhile.”
The document further states: “I also contacted the Virginia State Police Internal Affairs and spoke with Sgt. White. Sgt. White inquired into my situation and reported to me that there was a criminal investigation underway and I was directed to call the number that was on Special Agent Chrisley’s business card. I shared the information with the individual whom answered the phone and she informed me that a warrant should have been executed if there was a criminal investigation. The officers at my home on Tuesday night did not have a warrant. I received a returned telephone call from Captain Evans at Virginia State Police. I was told by Captain Evans that there was not a criminal investigation and there were orders to pickup the equipment from my home.”
So the Secretary of the Virginia State Board of Elections sends the Virginia State Police to people’s homes to pick up office equipment? It is our understanding that the victimized employee still works at the SBE. Sources indicated that the agency is plagued by rock-bottom morale because of the incidents detailed in this article.
ElectionLawCenter.com welcomes more tips from current and former employees of the Virginia SBE and the problems plaguing the agency. Email us at adams@electionlawcenter.com. Anonymity is guaranteed.
We will keep readers posted if and when the Governor’s office takes action against Secretary Rodrigues. In the meantime, perhaps the Richmond Times Dispatch will follow up on these allegations of corruption, dishonesty and discrimination emanating out of the state agency charged with running elections in Virginia. Hopefully whatever problems exist in the agency can be eliminated before the frantic pace of the November elections.
UPDATE: A reader sends this formal case of racial discrimination at the SBE.
There should be no excuses made for Government official corruption and dishonesty. Ms. Rodrigues has obviously loss her integrity and ability to lead. For the good of the Commonwealth, it’s time for her to move on.
Do you know Ms. Rodrigues? If you did, you would know that there is another side to this story, and a truth that isn’t reported in this blog. Just because it’s on the internet doesn’t make it true.
EDITOR NOTE: Dear Richmond Virginia Anonymous – ElectionLawCenter.com has posted every reply in response from the various people, including Mr. Stenbjorn. These are serious issues with many many people coming forward to describe an intolerable situation inside Virginia government. We will stay on this story, but will post any statement or rebuttal that the SBE wishes to send. Just because it is “on the internet” indeed does not make it true. But we have the documents which show the allegations of contract improprieties are true. Monitor this page for more information in the future.
I bet there is another side to Ms. Rodrigues. There was another side to Hitler too. Let’s face it, a good leader never puts him/herself in a position where their character, integrity and business dealings can become questionable. If a government official loses their integrity, why should we trust them to carry out the business of the people. At best, these allegations are indicative of bad and impotent management.
Can’t find anywhere where these two folks have any real management experience. From what I can tell, they are pretty much ex-campaign workers with no management or work experience. Did some quick looking. It looks like James Alcorn’s only work experience was as a campaign worker then, he moved on to the State Board of Elections. Rodrigues held various jobs, none more than a couple of years, but couldn’t find any significant time as an executive or manager If you put inexperienced people at the top of government agencies, you can expect this kind of results. duh.
Shame on Nancy Rodrigues. She took an oath of office to uphold the Constituion of Virginia. What a violation of public trust. She should be judged harshly because she is held to a higher standard than what she has displayed in her current position. If I were the Governor, I would throw the bum out!!!!!!!
I did some quick searching too. Looks like Alcorn has a law degree in election law. As a Richmond lobbyist, I’ve asked around and everyone has fantastic things to say about him… maybe not his boss, but he seems to be above reproach.
Maybe lobbyist interact differently in Richmond. You need to talk with minority staff at the State Board of Elections and I am absolutely certain that they would not have fantastic things to say about James Alcorn and his character is not above reproach.
Am I the only one still waiting to hear of a single instance of racism on the part of either Ms. Rodrigues or Mr. Alcorn? The accusation is easy to throw around, but what do you have to back it up?
EDITOR NOTE: You won’t find allegations of “racism” at this blog. Racism is different than racial discrimination. We have no way of knowing whether or not racism lurks in anybody’s heart and therefore won’t ever make that sort of allegation. We have, however, detailed on the record statements of racial discrimination at the Virginia State Board of Elections. These allegations specifically relate to disparate treatment of minority employees at the direction of the Secretary. The source is a former employee of the SBE. It is entirely inaccurate to say that no instances of racial discrimination have ever been described in detail here. Whether or not they occurred is up to the readers to judge. They have been reported through on the record statements. The rest is up to the public to decide. That being said, there are also other allegations of retaliation against witnesses who testified in a racial discrimination hearing against the SBE. There are other more minor events which also include claims of racial discrimination. To say something is ‘easy to throw around” but there is nothing to back it up is false.
James Alcorn is a member of the New York State Bar (Reg. # 4419974), admitted in 2006 and currently registered. He is not a member of the Virginia State Bar. He did work as a volunteer for the Kaine campaign prior to being appointed to the DMV, then moved to the SBE as a Policy Analyst. I believe James was of good character until Nancy got him appointed as Deputy Secretary. After that he seemed to fall in line with Nancy’s dictatorship. In disciplinary meetings with Nancy, James often says nothing or agrees with Nancy. In regards to the racial accusations, James made one comment in a meeting referring to, “…you people…”, when asked what he meant, he said “…black people…”
It is ansolutely absurb to cry foul ball when Nancy Rodrigues and James Alcorn have been striking out minority employees at SBE. They both should be made to stand on their records and employees’ accounts of their discriminatory acts. For example, during Ms. Rodrigues’ tenure, not one minority employee has been hired as a full-time classified employee; 5 to zip. Disciplinary actions, layoffs,terminations and suspensions have affected a higher percentage of minority employees than other employees at SBE. When you seek out state policy to “make it stick” against one class of people (minorities)then you should apply the policy consistenly across the board for all employees, Ms. Rodrigues and Mr. Alcorn. Now is not the time to make an attempt to give credibility to your actions; it is way past that time.
James Acorn had a law degree..and no mgt experience. He was on kaines campaign started as a policy analyst…than head of a unit …than dept.. his mgt skills are horrid and he is an opportunist. It is sad that the democratics put him there and the republicans let him stay. Talk to the registras…he is not hornable…he will lie when he needs or will forget when he is told to
In reading public records, Virginia’s response to the investigation of Paul Stenjborn’s contract, the Administration admitted counseling Nancy Rodrigues on racial matters. Why would the Administration feel a need to counsel Nancy Rodrigues on race? I suggest it is because of the many incidents and overwhelming evidence of her record. It demonstrates her predisposition to commit such acts. Another question is why is this administration tolerating and defending her discriminatory acts and illegal activities. The recently issued Governor’s Executive Order 2 prohiting discrimination in Virginia government is obviously just a mantle piece and has no real substance. No Commonwealth employee, black, white, or in between, should be subjected to discrimination at the hands of any government official. This administration’s failure to properly and promptly address these sensitive issues will not soon be forgotten by voters. It is unimaginable that, in this day and time, Virginia is still fighting the civil war and protecting corrupt officials. Come on people, if we say we won’t tolerate something, let’s not tolerate it. It’s time we stop allowing government officials to lie to us and get away with it. We pay their salaries. I’ve been living in Virginia for 25 years and a close observer of its government activities. I’ve never known any administration (from Doug Wilder to Gilmore) to let these types of issues and alleged criminal conduct by appointed officials be raised with no appropriate response. During the Warner administration, similar questionable acts were committed by officials who had close personal ties to the Governor. Gov. Warner did not allow even his close political friends and contributors to take advantage of their ties to him by feeding their personal lusts and prejudices using their authority he gave to them as appointed government officials. I suggest that this type of committment to public confidence and integrity is one of the reasons for his successful political career and popularity among Virginia citizens.
I’ve read and heard allegations sufficient to at least call for an external and independent investigation into the acts and affairs of the Virginia State Boad of Elections. The reported acts raises sufficient suspicion of government corruption, collusion, cover-up and discrimination. How can we trust such a government that won’t even do the minimum due-diligence to ensure public trust and integrity is maintained.
The Honest Truth, where have you been. Webster defines racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race”. So, her monitoring of black employees, and openly making degrading comments about their skill sets and, calling black General Assembly representatives “crooks” not enough for you. If you are indeed The Honest Truth then, these allegations, supported by government documents, should be disturbing to you. If 10% of these allegations are substantiated, then Nancy Rodrigues has no regards for you, The Honest Truth.