THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 4, 1994 TAG: 9410040414
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ELIZABETH THIEL, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
School Board member Charles W. Vincent has resigned from a key school system committee amid reports that he solicited campaign contributions from architecture and construction firms that applied to the committee for school building projects.
Vincent tendered his resignation Thursday in a letter to School Board Chairman James R. Darden.
``I appreciated that move on his part,'' Darden said.
``I'm trying to do the right thing,'' Vincent said.
Vincent said last week he didn't believe he did anything wrong when he wrote letters requesting donations from firms that had appeared before the committee in late August.
He was looking to retire about $4,600 in campaign debt left after a contentious School Board race that ended in May.
``I did what I felt was in the best interest of everyone concerned and removed myself from the committee,'' Vincent said.
The city commonwealth's attorney's office is investigating whether Vincent violated the Virginia Public Procurement Act, a misdemeanor offense that also could carry civil penalties.
Albert D. Alberi, chief deputy commonwealth's attorney, said Monday that he did not know when the investigation would be concluded.
Vincent also faced allegations this summer that his claim to the title of doctor was based on a bogus Ph.D. 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.
KEYWORDS: VIRGINIA BEACH SCHOOL BOARD
by CNB