Virginia Prosecutor Defends Democratic AG Candidate Amid Controversy

A prosecutor in Virginia, whose campaign has received significant contributions from groups tied to Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros, has addressed the heated remarks made by Democratic attorney general candidate Jay Jones. She referred to the reactions as “false outrage.”

Parisa Deghani-Tafti, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Arlington County, has faced her own share of controversy, especially regarding the prosecution of a store owner who allegedly fired a gun during a robbery. Recently, she criticized the media coverage surrounding Jones’ messages, in which he mentioned contemplating the murder of a former Republican official.

Deghani-Tafti expressed her frustration with Republican Attorney General Jason Miyares, urging him to operate independently of the governor’s office and showing her support for Jones instead.

The left-leaning Virginia political blog, Blue Virginia, noted that the local paper, the Virginian-Pilot, had incorrectly emphasized Jones in its lead story and main editorial. “There’s been no focus on the government shutdown or other pivotal issues,” she remarked, adding comments about the media’s “liberal” bias.

She warned that Miyares could obstruct Jones if he were to be re-elected, suggesting that the defeat of Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earl Sears was essentially predetermined. “Letting fear push us away from supporting Jay means Miyares will continue as Trump’s ally in Richmond,” she cautioned.

Since 2019, Deghani-Tafti’s campaign has amassed $325,000 from the Soros-backed Democracy PAC II and another $190,000 from its associated Justice and Public Safety PAC. The next largest donor was Alexandria attorney Christopher R.K. Reibig, with a donation of $10,900, according to Virginia Public Access Project.

It’s been reported that Soros Fund Management and Democracy PAC are major financial backers of Justice and Public Safety PAC.

Deghani-Tafti has been both praised and criticized in her role, particularly for her decision to prosecute serial sex offender Richard Kenneth Cox, which is tied to significant local issues. Notably, she previously faced backlash for prosecuting Hamzeh Abushariah, an employee of a smoke shop, after he fired at a robber in the midst of a break-in.

Initially, Abushariah was charged with malicious wounding and firearm offenses, but he was later acquitted by a jury. “We can’t rush to judgment,” Deghani-Tafti emphasized at the time, insisting there was evidence to support the charges.

In recent years, Democracy PAC and Democracy PAC II have been reported to have contributed over $42 million to the 2022 elections alone.