Joseph D. Morrisey of the Richmond-area House of Delegates has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in the scandal. A nude photo of his former employee, who is now pregnant, was found on his cell phone and shared with a friend, according to the AP. He was convicted in December for his involvement in aiding in the delinquency of a minor.
Morrisey is serving six months in jail to avoid a felony trial that would have restricted him from serving in office again. The deal also saved him from the potential of a years-long prison sentence.
For the past month he has slept in jail and campaigned during the day, wearing an electronic monitoring device when outside of the jail’s walls.
Myrna Pride, now 18, denies any sexual involvement with the lawmaker and has publicly defended him.
"The only person that has shown any respect or kindness, or been there for me, is Mr. Morrissey," Pride told WTVR. "Right now it's a friendship. I don't speak with him often. I call here and there to check on him. I want to see how his spirits are going."
Morrisey won back his seat in a special election held Tuesday. Although the scandal shook up the lawmaker’s position in the legislature, it seemed to have little effect on voters. In four previous elections, his constituents overlooked the lawmaker’s erratic behavior, ranging from fist fights, contempt of court citations, to disbarment, according to the AP. He has consistently garnered more than 70% of the votes.
The state lawmaker, 57, is also the father of three children from different women.
"They're interested in my body of work in the General Assembly," Morrissey said. "Nobody works harder for their constituents than I do."
