Judge suspends city treasurer awaiting sentencing for graft

NORFOLK, Va. (AP) - A judge says Norfolk’s treasurer can no longer come to work as he awaits sentencing on corruption charges.

The Virginian-Pilot reported (https://bit.ly/2lVysMx) Friday that the judge is concerned about the public’s trust as well as tax dollars.

Treasurer Anthony Burfoot was found guilty in December of selling his votes while he served on City Council and for lying about it.

But Burfoot has continued to come to work as the city’s treasurer. Under Virginia law, an official convicted of a felony can stay in office while appeals are being heard. But a judge can suspend him.

Burfoot’s sentencing in federal court is scheduled for April. Norfolk Circuit Judge Everett Martin wrote that “there will be further erosion of the trust” of city residents if Burfoot continued to serve.