The decision on the controversial Echo Harbour development on the James River, has also proved rewarding for some past and present members of Richmond’s City Council, as their campaign accounts have benefited from donations. Thousands of dollars, as documented on the campaign watchdog website VPAP.org, have swelled the coffers of select members of the City Council who will be making the final decision on the hotly debated project.
US Property Development Corp. an entity of Rev. Moon’s Unification Church, is spearheading the development in partnership with local businessman George Ross. Mr. Ross, through his company R3 Development LLC, has made numerous donations to local elected officials. Among the recipients were:
- Former City Councilman Bill Pantele: $3,500
- Mayor Dwight Jones: $2,000
- Former Councilmember and present Delegate Delores McQuinn: $1,500
- City Councilwoman Reva Trammel: $1,000
- State Senator Henry Marsh: $750
- And $500 each to City Council members, Marty Jewell, Ellen Robertson, and Chris Hilbert
US Property, made a donation to then City Council President Pantele of additional $1,000, at the time the development was beginning to be discussed in Council.
Influential local attorney James Theobald, of Hirschler, Fleisher, Weinberg, who represents the development, has listed on the VPAP site more than $6,000 political contributions since 1996, among them past Council member Pantele at $550, and current Councilor Doug Conner for $100.
The roster of employees of US Property Development lists a Mr. Mark Yates as a Vice President, and there are donations from a Mark Yates of Arlington to then Council members Bill Pantele, Bruce Tyler, Delores McQuinn, as well as Senator Marsh and Paul Goldman, an unsuccessful candidate for mayor last year. It could not be determined if Mr. Yates of Arlington is the same person as the Vice President of US Property, as of this date.
The Virginia Public Access Project, VPAP.org, provides a comprehensive tally of all political contributions made in Virginia greater than one hundred dollars, primarily for state and federal races, although some local races are detailed. It lists donors, political action committees, industry groups and individuals who have given funds, and has proven invaluable in this analysis. Additional information was gathered from the Commonwealth’s Corporation Commission (http://www.scc.virginia.gov/). As the Echo Harbour project nears a vote, citizens and community activists will be watching closely how the City Council votes, and if campaign contributions had any effect on the outcome.
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