Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 24, 1993                   TAG: 9311250360
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FELON LAWMAKER

The Chesterfield County Republican was convicted this week of embezzling $13,650 from a bicycle racing club of which he was treasurer. That's a felony, which means automatic expulsion from the legislature - but not, apparently, until all appeals are exhausted.

Twenty-three years ago another GOP lawmaker, representing Roanoke County and Salem, was brought to the bar of justice for his part in a stolen air-conditioner scheme. Then-Del. John W. Hagen never was expelled from the assembly. One trial ended in a hung jury; he sought and won other delays. By the time he bargained his way to a plea of guilty to the misdemeanor charge of accessory after the fact of grand larceny, his final legislative term was nearing its end anyway.

But meantime, for more than a year, residents of Roanoke County and Salem were denied their fair share of decent representation in the legislature.

Russell's situation is, if anything, worse. He's already been convicted, and of a felony rather than a misdemeanor. Barring a reversal of the conviction on appeal, expulsion will be automatic - but when? The possibility also remains that the requisite two-thirds vote in the Senate could be mustered to oust Russell before appeals are exhausted. But that, too, is unnecessary delay.

The sooner he resigns, the sooner a special election can be called to name his successor. The question isn't whether Russell, who has disgraced himself and his office, is on the way out. The question is how long it must take, and how long the people of Chesterfield must endure an absence of representation.

Keywords:
RUSSELL