Richmond Times-Dispatch: “Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears' office and campaign can’t say whether she took a free flight in 2023 from a donor whose business was regulated by the state”
 

VIRGINIA – Today, Virginia Freedom of Information Advisory Council Chair and Delegate Marcus Simon called on Winsome Earle-Sears to immediately release documents relating to her potential violation of Virginia law. New reporting from the Richmond Times-Dispatch details how Sears appears to have failed to disclose a free private plane trip from a donor “whose business was regulated by the state.”

“Either Sears lied on her financial disclosures when she filed them — and violated Virginia law — or she's lying to Virginians now,” said Delegate Marcus Simon. “Today I’m calling on Sears to release the records immediately and come clean about the disclosure, what happened, and why her team is ‘still trying to figure it out.’”
 
What to Know About Sears’ Secret Flight Scandal: 

• New reporting from the Richmond Times-Dispatch detailed how Sears appears to have failed to disclose a free private plane trip from a donor “whose business was regulated by the state.”
• When asked if the trip was free and not disclosed as required, Sears’ team said "We're still trying to figure it out." 
• Earlier this year, Sears failed to disclose – as required by ethics law – gifted trips valued at more than $15,780. 

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