VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - Prosecutors say a fourth indictment will likely come down in relation to election fraud charges for members of Scott Taylor's 2018 campaign staff.
On Tuesday, a third staffer, Heather Guillot, was indicted.
The indictment came down in Virginia Beach Circuit Court.
Guillot is accused of election fraud from 2018 while she was working to try and get Taylor re-elected.
John Beamer is the Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney to the special prosecutor on the case. Beamer, who is based out of Roanoke, said the investigation is still ongoing and said the whole campaign is still under investigation.
“I don’t have a timeline. I would expect there to be at least one more indictment come down,” said Beamer.
Taylor’s campaign issued a statement Tuesday:
Former, 2018 campaign staff made poor, unethical decisions two years ago. Unethical decisions that Scott Taylor would never condone or permit. Scott Taylor had no knowledge of any wrongdoing and has never been under investigation, as Scott was told by the special agent investigating with the Virginia State Police: “in no way are you being looked at as any type of suspect.” Those involved in any illicit behavior can and should be held accountable.But since 2018, the attorneys appointed to this investigation have unfortunately been more preoccupied with political justice or “poetic justice” than actual justice. Stalling the judicial process and pursuing justice on a politically convenient timeline is unprofessional and disturbing. It is a sad reality that this prosecutor’s actions are dictated by a political agenda, rather than a dutiful responsibility to pursue truth and justice in a timely manner.It is disappointing to see the democrat prosecutor conduct a political witch hunt in an effort to distract voters away from the real issues facing the 2nd District, such as Elaine Luria’s unaccountable constituent record during a pandemic and bad-for-business voting record.
News 3 asked Beamer if this indictment was politically motivated.
“We’re not going comment on those comments or Mr. Taylor‘s comments about the indictment. We’re just seeking truth and justice,” said Beamer.
He later said, “We were appointed to cover election fraud in the 2018 election, and that is what we are doing.”
He said the investigation has been slowed down by COVID-19 and the fact that their office is in Roanoke.
The case was appointed a special prosecutor.
“We’ve taken this one at a time. We’ve been very methodical, making sure we have the facts right,” said Beamer.
Guillot’s attorney, Richard Doummar, spoke to News 3 on Tuesday.
He said his client plans to plead not guilty.
“She's moved on with her life outside of the political job that she had previously. I know she's very disappointed, as anyone would be, being charged criminally,” said Doummar. "The timing certainly seems a little coincidental.”
She’s the third staffer to be indicted.
"In March of this year, former staffer Lauren Peabody pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of willful neglect of election duties. She was sentenced to one year in jail and fined $2,500, but a judge suspended the year of jail time and $1,500 of the fine on the condition of a year of good behavior."
Roberta Marciano is scheduled for court on September 24.
Taylor lost his re-election bid to incumbent Rep. Elaine Luria in November 2018. They will face off for the seat in Virginia's 2nd House District once again in November.
“I think the casual observer can see that there could be some timing issues with this particular legal action, but again I think we have to trust the judicial and the legal process,” said political analyst Dr. Eric Claville, the Director for the Center of African American Public Policy at Norfolk State University.
Taylor declined an on-camera interview with News 3.
