A legal advocacy group has filed a complaint alleging that public schools in a Virginia district violated felony election-law statutes by providing facilities for a free political event hosted by a Democratic candidate. The complaint claims the district’s actions constituted in-kind contributions and improperly used taxpayer resources for campaign purposes.
According to the filing, the school district allowed the candidate’s campaign rally to take place on school property at no cost, including staff assistance and promotional support. Under state law, such use of public facilities and personnel for electioneering without reimbursement may rise to the level of a Class 6 felony.
The school district has responded by saying it followed standard procedures for facility use and that the event was treated as a neutral rental. Meanwhile, the candidate’s camp has not disclosed whether any payment was made for use of the venue or services. Authorities are now reviewing the alleged violations as part of an ongoing investigation.