Fairfax County Police said in a statement Friday that investigators looking into a possible methamphetamine distributor made contact with a suspect who turned out to be Fairfax Mayor R. Scott Silverthorne through a website used to arrange sexual encounters between men.
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In a press release, the Fairfax County Police Department said that Mayor Richard “Scott” Silverthorne was arrested in the parking lot of a Crowne Plaza Hotel during an undercover operation.
At a city council meeting, Police Capt. Jack Hardin of the Fairfax Police Department said, “We were provided info from a citizen where the mayor was possibly involved – sort of like a dating website where he meets other men and distributing meth for sex”.
Police said Silverthorne agreed to provide methamphetamine to the undercover officer in exchange for group sex.
But, as police revealed Thursday, Silverthorne, 50, allegedly had another gig: meth dealer.
In accordance with Section 5.3 of the City Charter, Mayor Silverthorne has appointed Councilmember Jeffrey C. Greenfield to serve as Acting Mayor, effective immediately.
“You have received a copy of the city’s statement regarding this issue, which is available on the website, and I have nothing to add”.
Silverthorne was arrested and gave a full confession, police said.
McLaughlin, who allegedly resisted arrest and had to be subdued with a Taser, was charged with felony distribution of methamphetamine, felony obstruction of justice, and misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia, according to police.
Yet harboring of what had already been a tough year for the Mayor was news of Richard Silverthorne being laid from his job with the National Association of Manufacturers.
Things only deteriorated with Mayor Silverthorn filing for federal bankruptcy protection after owing almost $60,000 to creditors.
A bank later foreclosed on his five-bedroom house, and he moved in with a friend, according to the Post.
Silverthorne, whose father was also the mayor of Fairfax in the late 70s and early 80s, was reelected for a third term in May, after struggling with financial and health problems, according to a Washington Post report.
HOUSTON – Houston police said they’ve arrested two men accused of using pirated computer software to steal more than 100 vehicles that likely ended up in Mexico.
The mayor and council are not expected to meet again until September.
Silverthorne worked briefly as a Fairfax County substitute teacher beginning in April of 2016, but he was terminated from his substitute teaching position.
The Washington Post reported that Silverthorne was open about having fallen on hard times over the past year.
One former political opponent showed up Friday at the city registrar’s office to figure out the process to run for mayor in a special election.
His arrest likely means that Silverthorne will step down from his position, some local officials said. “I can try to sugarcoat it as best I can, but the facts speak for themselves”.
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“My heart breaks for this man because obviously he’s facing tremendous personal challenges”, said Ammazzalorso.
