Confrontation Between Portsmouth Mayor and Sheriff Results in Felony Arrest

Only in Virginia, or perhaps only in Portsmouth.

On Tuesday night Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson noticed the Mayor of Portsmouth had an expired inspection sticker on his 2001 Mercedes.  When the Sheriff attempted to issue a citation to Mayor Kenny Wright, the Mayor sped off leading the sheriff on a low speed chase that involved other law enforcement officers when Wright refused to stop and Watson called for backup. The chase resulted in a felony charge for eluding police.

“He just totally ignored me which he does with all law enforcement,” Watson added.  “I got in the car and I proceeded and I stopped him at the traffic circle.  He then drove off again.”

On Wednesday the Mayor turned himself in to police to answer the felony charge. Mayor Wright was later released on a personal recognizant bond.  He will appear in court on January 29th for an arraignment hearing. From Wavy.com, 

“I’m tired of the Mayor trying to run the city like he’s a God,” said  (Sheriff) Watson.

Watson is never one to hold back and it’s no secret about his dislike for Wright.

“How arrogant is he to ride around with an expired inspection sticker for seven months and think he is going to get by with it,” asked Watson?

In the Spring the city council cut the sheriff’s budget by a million dollars, later restoring $200,000 to Watson’s office.More on the ongoing battles between the City Council and the Sheriff here. 

“He took a million out of my budget, but I still have money for traffic summons,” Watson said Wednesday.

More here, here, and here.