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Cuccinelli has outside law firm take over Star Scientific lawsuit

Posted at 6:15 PM, Apr 05, 2013
and last updated 2013-04-05 18:15:03-04

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) — An outside law firm has been hired to represent the state of Virginia in lawsuit filed by a company that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has investments in.

The Associated Press reports that Star Scientific sued the Commonwealth over a $700,000 tax bill.

Cuccinelli’s office says there was no conflict of interest, but the lawyers were appointed to move past the distraction the case has caused.

“…To move past what has become an unnecessary distraction for the office and the attorney general, the case was given to outside counsel,” said Brian Gottstein, a  spokesperson for Cuccinelli, said in a news release Friday.

The two lawyers appointed by the attorney general will work for free.