When it rains, it pours: Terry McAuliffe calls on VA AG to recuse his office from natural gas case

It was only a matter of time and that time came on Wednesday when Democratic candidate for Virginia governor, Terry McAuliffe, called on Virginia’s attorney general and Republican Party gubernatorial candidate to “recuse” his office in ongoing litigation between two energy companies, EQT Production Co. and CNX Gas Co, and Southwest Virginia property owners.

One of the energy companies, Consol Energy (CNX is a subsidiary), is on the list of Cuccinelli political donors, and in a big way. Over the past two years, Consol Energy has contributed over $100,000 to the Republican gubernatorial candidates’ campaign.

All well and good, right? What’s wrong with contributing six figures to a political office holder? The rub appeared as it was revealed that the attorney general’s office was offering legal advice to the two energy companies currently in a legal dispute with Virginia property owners.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Pamela Meade Sargent reviewed some of the emails between Cuccinelli’s office and lawyers for the two energy companies and “shockingly” discovered this obvious conflict of interest, rendering choice words for the attorney general’s office. “Shockingly, these emails show that the Board, or at least Pigeon [assistant attorney general, Sharon Pigeon], has been actively involved in assisting EQT and CNX with the defense of these cases, including offering advice on and providing information for use on the Motions before the court."

Not surprisingly, McAuliffe also had some words of his own for Cuccinelli’s dereliction of office: "The idea that the attorney general's office would have been working in concert with two out-of-state gas companies against Virginia's own citizens is very troubling.” Oh, I forgot to mention, both energy companies are Pittsburgh-based companies. Treason!

For any Virginians who aren’t convinced by now that Cuccinelli and his political pal in the Executive Mansion have greased their way through their current political stints as the state’s top legal representative and executive, respectively, it’s hard to conceive what additional evidence is required. Indeed, all evidence suggests that a Ken Cuccinelli governorship would be akin to putting Donald Trump in the White House: the highest political donor takes all!

While I kid, nothing could be more serious and unsettling than a high public official so conspicuously pimping his office to moneyed interests and degrading the attorney general’s office and political system in the process. I might not agree with some of the policy positions that McAuliffe has recently taken, but at least I know that McAuliffe will stand up for the people of Virginia, and not out-of-state energy companies. Cuccinelli has already proven where he stands.