Miyares Demands Jones’ Resignation Amid Ongoing Criminal Probe

Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares has called for Democratic challenger Jay Jones to withdraw from the race following the release of court documents indicating that Jones’ reckless driving case is still under an active criminal investigation. The documents, obtained by Fox News Digital, reveal that Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott Renick had requested recusal from the case, suggesting the probe remains active, and the case has been transferred to a new special prosecutor.

Miyares argues that Jones cannot fulfill the responsibilities of the attorney general position while under an open criminal investigation, calling it a disqualification for the role. This is not the first time Miyares has criticized Jones; earlier, he had already condemned Jones for text messages that reportedly envisioned the murder of Republican House Speaker Todd Gilbert, which he deemed grounds for disqualification, calling it a shocking and contemptuous act towards voters.

The court filing, signed by Judge B. Elliott Bondurant, indicates that Renick believed there was a potential conflict and thus recused himself from the case. The court has appointed James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney Nathan R. Green, based in Williamsburg, as the special prosecutor, granting him full authority in the matter. This move has raised questions about the integrity and transparency of the legal process, with concerns over judicial impartiality.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Jones extends beyond the criminal probe. Jones is currently serving 1,000 hours of community service for the reckless driving charge, with half of the hours completed through his own political action committee. The remaining hours were logged with the NAACP of Virginia, according to a sworn statement signed by the group’s president, Rev. Cozy Bailey. This arrangement has sparked legal and ethical concerns, with officials yet to address whether time logs were filed with the court alongside the completion certificates.

Fox News Digital is pursuing a Freedom of Information Act request to obtain any communications between the committee (MOMPAC), the county, and the NAACP. This highlights the ongoing scrutiny over the potential misuse of political funds and the legality of completing community service hours through such channels. Miyares has also raised concerns about the ethical implications of this arrangement, suggesting a conflict of interest.

Although Jones has not yet provided a public response to these allegations, the situation continues to dominate headlines as both candidates face intense scrutiny over their conduct and the potential consequences for the future of the attorney general race in Virginia. The case is expected to remain a focal point as the election approaches, with significant implications for both political parties and the state’s leadership.