Lawyer: Ex-Gov. Sends
Mixed Message about Papers
Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore is sending conflicting messages about the papers he is holding, claims the lawyer representing the state library in mediation to settle the continuing dispute over the former governor’s records.
Anthony F. Troy charged that Gilmore’s lawyer, David E. Anderson, referred to the documents as public in an August 29 letter to Warner’s chief counsel but five days later, in a letter to State Librarian Nolan T. Yelich, described them as private, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported September 24.
Anderson explained that in the earlier letter he merely pointed out that in addition to the personal documents Gilmore kept, he also retained for reference purposes copies of many official public records.
Current Gov. Mark R. Wagner authorized lawyers September 9 for both the library and Gilmore, as well as a third to serve as mediator, after Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore said he wanted out of the fight. The state library has claimed Gilmore is withholding—and may have destroyed—documents essential to the historical record, while Gilmore says he has turned over everything to which the library is legally entitled.
Posted September 30, 2002.
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