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John Mulvey
Amherst County’s economic development director was arrested Thursday and charged with inappropriate contact with a child, authorities said.
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John Mulvey, 48, of Amherst, was suspended without pay on April 15, according to police and county officials. He is charged with attempted aggravated sexual battery against a child under age 13, a felony, police said.
Mulvey turned himself in Thursday afternoon and was booked at the Amherst County Jail, where he was being held without bond.
Mulvey has no criminal record, other than traffic citations, according to police. He has been the county’s economic development director since December 2008 and his annual salary was approximately $60,000. He had held a similar post in Washington County in eastern North Carolina.
A family member of the child reported the allegation to police on March 30, and a patrol officer met with the girl, who lives in Amherst, said Amherst Police Chief Kenneth Watts. The investigation, which Watts termed “lengthy and difficult,” began immediately and involved the Amherst County Commonwealth’s Attorney Office.
Mulvey’s attorney, Tom Shrader, and David Proffitt, the interim county administrator, did not comment on the arrest Thursday.
Because Mulvey is a county employee, Watts informed then-county administrator Rodney Taylor of the probe on April 1, Watts said. Taylor later briefed the Board of Supervisors about the investigation.
The Board of Supervisors earlier this month authorized an investigation into an apparent leak of confidential information regarding a county employee; Watts said on Thursday that the leak involved the investigation into the charge against Mulvey.
Taylor has said that turmoil over the leak led to his forced resignation as county administrator on April 23. Supervisors have said that Taylor accused a board member of leaking information and have stood by their decision to ask for his resignation.
Watts said on Thursday that the debate has not affected the case.
“We have focused on the investigation of the case and the rights of the victim and the accused were our priority, and not any political debate that may exist,” he said.
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Reader Reactions
To all citizens of Amherst. Remember these folks names when we go to the voting booths. Donald Kidd, make sure he is not in this position next year, From all of the articles he is the one that LEAKED the info. Donald Kidd please step down. He should be charged with obstruction of justice for leaking. Fireman Chris Adams, he should have never been in the position as he works for the City Of Lychburg… conflict of interest and he lied about why Mr Taylor was let go, I think he should be forced out of Amherst…Move to Lynchburg Mr Chris Adams, Where you work. Mr S Ray Vandall, sorry but I think you are just caught up in the MIX, everyone of you need to go because you would not stand up for Mr Taylor and you would not get rid of MR Adams and Mr Kidd. Vernon Wood, needs to go also. Same for you Leon Parrish, bye bye all of you.
Citizens please note these names and remember to make sure they are not re-elected. Also if you want to tell them what you think there schedule and email addresses are posted on the following web site: http://www.countyofamherst.com/supervisors/
Please use the power of the internet to Email them and show up at there board meetings to let them know how much we do care about the wrong that they have done. They have tarnished Amherst County and the only way to fix it is to try to start with a clean slate. Lets show them in our comments and in the voting booths that this type of behavior will be not be allowed in our county. I feel there is so much distrust with this group of people that I do not think they can do any good for Amherst. There will always be questions and they could end up costing our county many dollars if Mr Taylor decides to sue. Lets us find some different people to take over the administration of Amherst county.
So…we finally know the root of the situation for Mr. Taylor’s forced resignation. The Board of Supervisors or a few of its members needed to protect…what? A potential child molester??? In this land we are innocent until proven guilty; however that does not excuse the enormity of the implications of this case! First we have a County Administrator doing his best to comply with a police investigation. Then, performing his duty as County Administrator, releases the information to our Board of Supervisors, the supposed guardians of our county affairs, who, you would think, would be horrified to find such an investigation going on among their employees and who, you would expect, would do everything within the letter of the law to get to the bottom of these allegations. Instead, the County Administrator (Rodney Taylor) is then forced to resign for suggesting that it may have been a Board member that leaked this information to the employee’s lawyer, Tom Shrader! What are they thinking? What kind of low-life would protect a potential child molester by tipping off his lawyer? Is this who we have entrusted the governance of our County to? How much further can they demonstrate their serious lack of judgment? The investigation of just who leaked this sensitive information needs to be more than just “considered.“ This investigation needs to happen NOW.
So the board member, who has the same lawyer (Shrader) is accused of leaking information to the DEFENSE lawyer.
And the employee who accuses him of that leak gets fired.
I hope the parents of the alleged victim are listening, sounds like Amherst could be paying them soon.
It is incredible that the Amherst Board of Supervisors have circled the wagons to protect one of their own who released confidential information about an alleged child molester to the man’s defense attorney, Mr. Shrader. The attempted cover-up unravelled to the point that the Board demanded the resignation of the County Administrator who was attempting to find out who leaked the information. The Board’s actions or inaction denies justice to a young girl who was wronged and their conduct is beneath contempt. The Board needs to quickly determine who the low-life is that leaked the information and prosecute him under the statutes of Virginia regarding malfeasance by a public official. At the least, any parent of a minor child in Amherst should be demanding action by the Board. If this is indeed the leak that Mr. Taylor was zealous in prosecuting, he is to be commended and merits a profuse apology by the Amherst Board of Supervisors and the people of the County. Is there no shame in Amherst?
“Because Mulvey is a county employee, Watts informed then-county administrator Rodney Taylor of the probe on April 1, Watts said.
Oh no, he’s got county job immunity. He’s got a “Free Get Out Of Jail” card.
Let’s see if he walks like everyone else has so far…....
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