Former SW Virginia Judge Chad Dotson charged with revamp of State Parole Board

A former Southwest Virginia judge has been charged by Governor Youngkin with leading a completely new parole board for the state.

Appalachian School of Law Dean Chad Dotson will chair the agency that Youngkin made a focal point of his campaign. The governor has formally asked Attorney General Jason Miyares to open an investigation into their actions and decisions.

The allegations include past parole members granting release to convicts without notifying victims’ families and documented complaints of fraud and wasteful spending.

Hours after being sworn in, Youngkin fired the entire board, a move that former Parole Board chair Tonya Chapman telegraphed late last year and called vindictive and a bad message to send to state employees.

(IMAGE: Bristol Broadcasting Co News Archives)