HENRICO COUNTY, Va. (WTVR) -- The Henrico commonwealth's attorney has appointed a special prosecutor for the investigation involving state delegate Joe Morrissey and a 17-year-old girl.
Henrico Commonwealth's Attorney Shannon Taylor said Tuesday in a news release that Spotsylvania Commonwealth’s Attorney William F. Neely has been appointed special prosecutor.
"I felt this was the appropriate time to make this request because, up to this point, this had been a routine investigation following the typical trajectory of investigations handled by this office," Taylor said in a news release. "However, now, moving forward, the investigation is at a juncture where strategic and critical decisions will be made."
Additionally, retired Judge Martin Bass from the 15th Judicial Circuit has been appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court to preside over this case.
However, a lawyer for the teen's mother said the girl had a good reason for being at Morrissey's house.
Morrissey said the teen, who works at Morrissey's law office, was discussing a highly sensitive personal and legal matter, and that she had her mother's permission to be there.
In September, the teen's lawyers said the girl got the job at Morrissey’s office by lying on a job application and a resume. Lawyers also admitted that the resume was sent to 22 other companies.
Morrissey has not been charged with a crime. CBS 6 reached out to Morrissey. He declined to comment, but says his attorneys would do so in a few days.
Watch CBS 6 News and stay with WTVR.com for updates on this developing story.
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