Richmond, Va. (WTVR)–According to published reports, David M. Gammino has quit the race for City Council, citing fallout from the Justin French real estate scandal.
Gammino, a developer, was challenging incumbent E. Martin Jewell for the 5th District seat.
A $13.7 million dollar lawsuit was filed against Gammino last week, accusing him of falsifying documents for two projects he was doing with French, who was convicted of real estate schemes.
The Richmond-Times Dispatch released the official statement from Gammino on Sunday. In it he said that he was once again compelled to confront the consequences of his business relationship with French, and to refute claims that he, Gammino, benefited from those actions.
The bottom line, Gammino said, was that he will not have the time and effort necessary to continue his campaign now.
Political strategist Paul Goldman said that Marty Jewell, often critical of the policies of Mayor Jones administration, was “number one on the hit list,” and that the Mayor’s backers had encouraged Gammino to run against Jewell.
Jewell still faces Lee Shewmake for the 5th District seat.
