News Summary
John Maddux has been appointed as the new City Attorney for Charlottesville, Virginia. His legal expertise includes over a decade of experience in Asheville, North Carolina, where he served as Deputy City Attorney. Maddux’s appointment arrives alongside past controversies involving press freedoms in Asheville. With a focus on strengthening relationships with the City Council, he aims to address municipal challenges and navigate the tense issues surrounding policing and homelessness that affect both Charlottesville and Asheville.
Charlottesville – John Maddux has been appointed as the new City Attorney for Charlottesville, Virginia, starting Wednesday. His temporary position as managing director will continue until he is formally sworn in by the Virginia Supreme Court and officially appointed by the City Council. Maddux’s application for admission to the Virginia State Bar has already received approval, allowing him to assume his new role.
Before his appointment, Maddux served as the Deputy City Attorney in Asheville, North Carolina for over a decade. His legal experience in Asheville included providing counsel on municipal issues such as employment law, land use, zoning, and policing, and he was actively involved in responding to various crises, including police misconduct and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Maddux’s appointment comes amid scrutiny due to his involvement in a controversial First Amendment case. This case revolved around the convictions of two journalists, Veronica Coit and Matilda Bliss, who were reporting on a police raid at a homeless encampment on Christmas Day in 2021. The duo videotaped the police action at Aston Park, which was part of a demonstration aimed at protesting the city’s treatment of homeless residents. Alongside the journalists, four others were arrested during the raid, with a total of 16 people indicted on felony littering charges related to the items left behind after the police sweep. These charges were ultimately dismissed.
The Asheville city code specifies a park closing time of 10 p.m., and the arrests occurred around 10:30 p.m., leading to accusations of trespass against Coit and Bliss rather than any First Amendment violations. The journalists, working for The Asheville Blade, a self-described “leftist news co-op”, were unable to prove their status as legitimate media representatives during the trial. The judge clarified that although their charges stemmed from trespassing, the case drew significant attention regarding press freedoms and the treatment of non-mainstream news outlets.
Coit and Bliss continue their journalistic work despite their convictions, which were upheld by the state Court of Appeals. The case’s implications for freedom of the press have stirred reactions from advocacy groups, noting concerns over the treatment of journalists and the characterizations as unsigned or unofficial members of the media, which could influence their ability to conduct reporting in the future.
Charlottesville has its own issues with homelessness and policing, mirroring some of the tensions seen in Asheville. Reports have indicated misconduct by officers regarding their treatment of unhoused individuals in city parks, highlighting ongoing conflicts within community and law enforcement dynamics.
In his new role, Maddux aims to strengthen relationships with the City Council and its staff members, focusing on collaborative efforts to address municipal challenges. He holds educational credentials that include bachelor’s degrees in music performance and music industry studies from Appalachian State University, a law degree from Campbell University, and a Master of Laws from New York University.
The position of City Attorney had been vacant since former attorney Jacob Stroman retired in September 2023. His departure was clouded with uncertainties surrounding his administrative leave due to a complaint investigation, though he was ultimately exonerated. The circumstances of Stroman’s exit included scrutiny over his relationship with the Chesapeake city council and allegations of ethical misconduct, leading to significant public interest in the selection of his successor.
As Maddux takes the helm as City Attorney, his previous experience and recent controversies will likely influence both his approach to legal matters and the perception of his tenure among constituents and city officials alike.
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John Maddux Appointed as Charlottesville’s New City Attorney
Additional Resources
- CBS19 News: Charlottesville Getting New City Attorney
- CVille Right Now: New Charlottesville City Attorney John Maddux Arrives From Asheville, NC
- Augusta Free Press: Charlottesville New City Attorney Played Role in Notorious Press Freedom Case
- 29 News: Charlottesville Paid Attorney Out $189,000, 29News Investigation Finds
- Wikipedia: Charlottesville, Virginia
