Cuccinelli Says His ‘Mistakes’ Make Him More Credible On Ethics

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli speaks after his nomination as the Republican candidate for governor of Virginia at the Virginia Republican convention in Richmond, Va. on Saturday, May 18, 2013.
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Arguing that his “own mistakes when it comes to Virginia’s disclosure requirements” have better prepared him to lead on the issue, Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R) on Wendesday published on op-ed reiterating his call for a special session of the Virginia’s General Assembly, to address the state’s ethics laws.

“I will be the first to admit that I’ve made my own mistakes when it comes to Virginia’s disclosure requirements,” Cuccinelli wrote in an op-ed published by The Daily Caller, referring to his recently disclosed financial ties to businessman Jonnie Williams and his company, Star Scientific. “Though I was fully cleared by a Democratic Commonwealth’s Attorney, I’ve learned from my mistakes and believe they make me a more credible messenger in this much-needed debate.”

Republican leaders in Virginia on Tuesday sided with Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) and rejected Cuccinelli’s call for a special session. McDonnell’s relationship with Williams is currently the subject of state and federal investigations. Cuccinelli is currently running for governor.

“In recent days a number of leaders, including Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, have put forward constructive ideas for streamlining Virginia’s broken ethics laws,” Cuccinelli wrote. “These ideas, however, will remain only words on a page unless we have an avenue to implement real change. That’s why I believe Governor McDonnell should immediately convene a special session of the General Assembly. Legislators will be able to come forward with their own ideas and reforms and hammer out their differences.”

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