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Morrissey investigation reaches critical stage

Posted at 7:55 PM, Jun 05, 2014
and last updated 2014-06-05 19:58:18-04

RICHMOND, Va. -- Nearly a year since an investigation began into State Delegate Joe Morrissey (D - Richmond) and an alleged relationship with a 17-year-old girl who served as one of his employees.

That girl, who is now 18 years old, will appear before a Henrico County Special Grand Jury on Monday.

Her attorney, Sherri Thaxton, held a press conference Thursday to discuss how upset her client is that she has been subpoenaed by Special Prosecuter Bill Neely.

"It is indefensible that the prosecutor would spend nine months and hundreds of thousands of  taxpayer dollars investigating a crime, that according to my client, never occurred," Thaxton said.

Thaxton maintains nothing happened between her client and Morrissey. Thaxton has admitted in the past that her client lied on her job application about her age and that her client was only at Mr. Morrissey's home because of legal matters.

Tony Troy, an attorney for Joe Morrissey, also reiterated by phone Thursday that nothing illegal occurred.

Bill Neely who was appointed special prosecutor after Henrico's Commonwealth Attorney Shannon Taylor recused herself - did not return phone calls by CBS 6.

CBS 6 legal analyst Todd Stone says however that it is clear Neely believes there is more to the case than what the girl in question has been saying.

"I think it is safe to say the prosecutor has not accepted her version of events," Stone said.

"All she has to do is go and tell the truth and if she does she has nothing to worry about," Stone added.