Delegate subpoenaed as Star Scientific investigated
Del. David Ramadan has no record of receiving campaign contributions or gifts from the business.
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Monday, June 10, 2013
RICHMOND — A federal grand jury has been impaneled amid the FBI probe of troubled nutritional supplement maker Star Scientific and ties Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife have with the company’s chief executive, and a newspaper reported that a Virginia legislator has been subpoenaed to testify before it.
Republican Del. David Ramadan of Loudoun County told the Washington Post he’s cooperating in the securities investigation of the troubled Glen Allen-based company and CEO Jonnie Williams.
Williams gave McDonnell’s daughter, Cailin McDonnell, $15,000 to cover a catering bill for her June 4, 2011, wedding reception at Virginia’s Executive Mansion. McDonnell did not disclose the gift on his required statement of economic interests, arguing that state law requires only that gifts directly to an officeholder — not his family — be reported.
The FBI has questioned friends and associates of the governor about whether the governor and first lady Maureen McDonnell promoted the company’s Anatabloc nutritional supplement in exchange for gifts from Williams.
Justice Department spokesman Peter Carr said he could not confirm or deny an investigation, but said that people who are subpoenaed may speak as they wish.
When contacted Monday by The Associated Press, Ramadan said by text message that he could not elaborate on the subpoena. Ramadan’s role in the federal investigation is not clear.
There are no records of Ramadan receiving either gifts or campaign contributions from Williams or from Star Scientific, a company that has contributed more than $255,000 to campaigns or political action committees since 1999, 98 percent of them Republican. Ramadan is a jeweler and global trade consultant elected as a Republican to the Virginia House of Delegates in 2011.
Ramadan, 43, received $40,000 in campaign contributions two years ago from McDonnell’s PAC, Opportunity Virginia, in three installments in August, September and October of 2011.
Ramadan confirmed to the Post that he attended Cailin McDonnell’s wedding and Executive Mansion reception and that he brought a gift for the newlyweds, but he refused to discuss what it was or its value. Nor would he discuss whether he had ever provided other gifts to the governor and first lady.
The governor reports no gifts from Ramadan on his statements of economic interest.
Besides the federal securities probe with its interest in the McDonnells, Star Scientific is also the subject of lawsuits from shareholders.
Two state investigations are also focusing on alleged improprieties within the Executive Mansion’s kitchen operations and whether McDonnell breached state disclosure laws.
1. 41-vehicle wreck ties up traffic Sunday on I-81 in Rockbridge County
2. Virginia Tech football roster has holes on picture day
3. Medicare penalties hit hospitals in Roanoke, New River Valleys
4. Microfestivus beer event gets downtown Roanoke hopping
5. McFarling: 2 little numbers are a big hurdle for Virginia Tech football
6. Arrest made in case of missing Nelson County teen
7. DAN CASEY: Copter cost still stirring up dust
8. Virginia attorney general's office grows under Ken Cuccinelli
9. Man's drowning is 5th in Lynchburg area
10. Roanoke farmers markets making local foods more accessible
THE ROANOKE TIMES
