A version of this appeared in The Virginian-Pilot on January 9, 2016
Anthony Burfoot needs to take a vacation.
A long one.
Like every other American, Norfolk's city treasurer enjoys the presumption of innocence. But the eight federal criminal charges lodged against him Friday are so grave that it is hard to see how he can retain the trust of the public until they are resolved.
And Burfoot – who is in charge of collecting Norfolk's taxes – holds an elected office that demands the highest level of integrity and honesty.
A federal investigation into the 48-year-old former City Councilman and vice mayor culminated Friday with Burfoot's appearance in a courtroom in handcuffs, facing a cornucopia of corruption charges, ranging from wire fraud to perjury. Maximum penalties for the crimes, according to federal authorities, vary from five to 20 years.
In the 30-page indictment, the feds lay out a complicated – and shocking – series of acts allegedly committed by Burfoot between 2005 and 2011.
Read it for yourself at PilotOnline.com.
In the documents, prosecutors outline a pattern of dishonesty and greed. Burfoot is accused of using his office and influence to drive business to several entities, including the development company, Tivest, in which he was allegedly a silent partner. In return, feds say, Burfoot took kickbacks worth almost half a million dollars.
Frankly, the sweeping scope of Friday's allegations makes the case against former Gov. Bob McDonnell appear almost minor by comparison.
All told, the feds say Burfoot received $475,000.
In addition to a timeline of payments and votes, the federal narrative includes one small but telling anecdote. In 2006, the Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority awarded eight pieces of property in Broad Creek to Tivest at the urging of Burfoot, "over the objection of one NRHA employee, who refused to sign the award letters due to concerns about the relationship between Burfoot and Tivest."
That's interesting.
The indictment paints a picture of audacious behavior by Burfoot. Payments weren't delivered in dark alleys, but on occasion to his offices at City Hall.
The feds allege that Burfoot directed at least one city worker to lie in communications with The Pilot and that in 2014, "during ongoing FBI and federal grand jury investigations, Burfoot repeatedly discussed with an employee of the Treasurer's Office how the employee would respond falsely to certain inquiries."
How can citizens be expected to write tax checks to a man accused of such chicanery?
Rumors have swirled around Burfoot for years. When he was elected city treasurer, Burfoot thanked supporters who ignored what he characterized as "lies, innuendo and (a) smear campaign."
"The media wasn't kind to my family," he said. "My house is in order."
The latter may prove to be an unfortunate turn of phrase. According to the indictment, improvements to Burfoot's house – including hardwood floors, appliances and renovations – were provided to him in return for favors.
On Friday, Burfoot's attorney, Andrew Sacks, was adamant that the city treasurer would not step down.
"Why should he dignify his accusers (by resigning)?" Sacks asked.
When questioned about the gravity of the federal charges, Sacks said, "It is not difficult for prosecutors to get an indictment," noting that federal grand juries meet in secret and that the "deck is stacked" against targets.
Sacks added that Burfoot had been an "effective" public servant through his years on the City Council and as city treasurer.
"He's the kind of person who would redouble his efforts through his performance to reassure the public," Sacks said, noting that it would be some months before a defense to the indictments could be assembled.
The best reassurance Burfoot could give the public at this point would be to show respect for the people of Norfolk and the office to which he was elected, by removing himself until the corruption charges are resolved.