Jailed Virginia lawmaker charged with forgery, perjury

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A Virginia lawmaker who was just re-elected despite being jailed for a sex scandal with a 17-year-old faces new felony charges.

Special prosecutor William Neely announced the forgery and perjury indictment of Del. Joseph D. Morrissey on Wednesday. The lawmaker now stands accused of forging a document he vouched for in court, and persuading the girl’s mother to swear to its authenticity as well. That woman, Deidre Warren, faces perjury and forgery charges now as well.

Morrissey told reporters the charges are false and he will fight them in court.

Morrissey is spending nights in jail for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. He accepted that misdemeanor conviction last month to avoid a felony trial on charges including soliciting a minor, child pornography and taking “indecent liberties.”