>>Richmond Officials Refuse to Disclose Details of Nearly $1M in Severance Payments
(Richmond, VA) -- Richmond officials spent a lot of money but refuse to tell taxpayers where the money went. Rebecca Hughes explains.Preview: Voicer Script:
Under former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, the city of Richmond issued 32 severance packages to departing employees between 2017 and 2024, totaling nearly $1 million. However, city officials refused to disclose the documents related to these agreements, citing an exemption to Virginia's Freedom of Information Act. The Richmond Times-Dispatch made multiple requests for the information but was denied access. The decision to withhold the severance documents has raised concerns about transparency and accountability in the use of public funds. Other cities like Portsmouth have readily disclosed similar information, prompting calls for Richmond to follow suit.