"Dark Money" in Virginia Elections, Plaza Azteca Pays for Wage Theft, and more
"Dark Money" in Virginia Elections, Plaza Azteca Pays for Wage Theft, and more
Historic Triangle News Roundup for November 6 - 11
Good morning! It’s the day after Veteran’s Day, and I’m reading this interview with a 102-year-old veteran from Poquoson who piloted a B-17 “Flying Fortress” during World War II. Now let’s get to last week’s top stories.
Virginia Election Campaign Spending Breaks Record
Total fundraising for last week’s General Assembly elections is now up to $174.8 million according to the latest campaign finance reports, putting it in the running for one of the most expensive legislative elections in U.S. history.
Redistricting spurred competitive spending in races, including former York-Poquoson Sheriff Danny Diggs’s upset of incumbent state senator Monty Mason, who raised $3.9 million and $5.1 million, respectively.
“Dark money” groups, nonprofits that don’t list their donors, have reportedly spent over $4.2 million on Virginia elections.
Plaza Azteca to Pay $11.4 Million in Back Wages and Damages
The east coast restaurant chain, owned by Ruben Leon with locations in Williamsburg and Yorktown, agreed to pay over $11 million in back pay and damages for more than 1,000 employees following federal investigations into its payment practices.
The Department of Labor alleged that full-time back-of-house workers of multiple restaurants were paid based on a predetermined amount, meaning they were not always paid according to actual hours worked, including for overtime.
The consent judgment comes one month after another local restaurant, Food for Thought, agreed to pay $205,180 in back wages and liquidated damages when a department investigation found it failed to pay adequate overtime to its employees.
Other Headlines
James City County’s Board of Supervisors incumbents Ruth Larson and John McGlennon defeated their opponents in last week’s election, and planning commissioner Barbara Null won the vacant Stonehouse District seat. Michael Hosang, Randy Riffle and Daniel Cavazos won their races for the Williamsburg-James City County School Board.
York County’s Board of Supervisors incumbents defended their seats, but all those running again for the York County School Board lost to their challengers.
Authorities this week shared that William & Mary junior Rosemary Raynal, who had been struck by the SUV of CW Foundation President Cliff Fleet on Richmond Road, is recovering from a brain injury at Wake Medical in North Carolina.
Upcoming Events
“Reconnecting Native Narratives to the Brafferton Indian School” Lecture:
When: Tuesday, Nov. 14, 7 - 8:30 PM
Where: Sadler Center Auditorium, 200 Stadium Dr., Williamsburg
Career Expo for Those with a Disability:
When: Friday, Nov. 17, 10 am - 2 PM
Where: Denbigh Community Center, 15198 Warwick Blvd., Newport News
“Voices of Integration” Screening:
When: Sunday, Nov. 19, 2 - 4 PM
Where: Williamsburg Library Theater, 515 Scotland St., Williamsburg
That wraps up this week’s newsletter. FYI, low-income Virginia residents can apply for state fuel assistance to help stay warm this winter until 6 PM tomorrow (Monday).
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