LOUDOUN COUNTY, Va. (WUSA9) -- Two Northern Virginia prosecutors are blasting Governor McAuliffe's order restoring voting rights to 250,000 felons. They say the order includes felons who are back in prison, on probation or even deported to another country.
Loudoun County Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Plowman says, so far, he's found four violent offenders who have had their rights restored, but should NOT have, because they don't meet the Governor's own criteria. Two have been charged with new crimes and are back in jail, another is in a mental health hospital after being found not competent to stand trial, and the fourth is in Peru. He served time for sexually abusing a child, was released and then deported.
"They don't even know who they are restoring because this persons is in Peru," Plowman said.
"They don't even meet the Governor's criteria....with an executive act of clemency...sounds like a mistake,” Fauquier Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Fisher said. “With profound consequences."
Fisher said so far, his research has found eight felons who had their rights restored by the Governor's executive order on April 22.
The Governor's spokesperson said there are people on the list who don't belong there, and that's why they haven't released the list. He said it's a data-base problem and that no will have their rights restored who is not eligible.
The prosecutors said the rights have already been restored and the Governor cannot take them back.
