THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290479
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines
The commonwealth's attorney's office is investigating whether School Board member Charles W. Vincent acted illegally by soliciting campaign contributions from architectural and construction firms that sought school building projects.
Vincent, who was elected to the School Board in May after a contentious race, is one of two board members on a committee whose task is to screen those firms.
Albert D. Alberi, chief deputy commonwealth's attorney, said his office opened the investigation last week, when someone made a complaint and provided investigators with a copy of a letter sent by Vincent asking for the campaign donations.
Alberi said he did not know who made the complaint or when the investigation would be concluded.
``This is an open investigation,'' he said. ``There are some things that, even if I know them, I can't tell you.''
Alberi said Commonwealth's Attorney Robert J. Humphreys likely would make the final decision on whether to charge Vincent with criminal violation of the Virginia Public Procurement Act, a misdemeanor offense that also could carry civil penalties. Humphreys was in Richmond attending a special General Assembly session this week, and was unavailable for comment.
This is not the first controversy involving Vincent. Over the summer, the father of a defeated School Board candidate accused Vincent of claiming the title of doctor based on a bogus doctorate in counseling psychology from a California religious college. Although Vincent contends that the degree is legitimate, California officials have said the college is not authorized by that state's law to issue such a degree.
After a late-August meeting of the screening committee, during which about 20 architectural and construction firms were interviewed, Vincent wrote to the businesses.
Vincent said he sent the letters asking for money to pay off about $4,600 in debt left over from his campaign.
``I don't see where I've done anything wrong,'' said Vincent, a 46-year-old education specialist and counselor for the Army at Fort Story.
``I've already checked with the state Board of Elections before I even began the effort, and they led me to believe that I had no problem,'' he said.
``I will admit that I'm new to politics. I tried to comply with what I understood were correct procedures in fund raising. I certainly don't want there to be any perceptions of any gray areas, where I should perhaps not have traveled, let's say. And if I've done anything incorrect, I'll certainly use it as a learning experience.''
John B. Maddux Jr., president of The Architectural Associates PC in Chesapeake, said he got two letters from Vincent asking for money.
The letters ``struck me a little bit funny,'' Maddux said.
``I've never had that happen to me before. It puts you in a bad position, especially when everybody's looking so hard at public work. We really try to keep everything above board; it's really important.''
Maddux said he did not consider giving Vincent money.
``It just made me uncomfortable. You don't know what to do. If I give him money, and I get a job, people are going to say, `Aha.' But if I don't give him money, and I have to go in front of him again to get a job, is that going to count against me?'' by CNB