Northern Virginia State Del. Adam Ebbin announced that he introduced legislation today aimed at curbing the ability of Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccincelli to file civil actions without the request or authorization of the Governor or General Assembly. Ebbin said that Cuccinelli “abandoned the tradition of good and responsible government set by his predecessors, and instead used his position as a platform to unilaterally pursue political-motivated ends.”

Ebbin added, “Instead of focusing on enforcing consumer protection laws and making sure Virginia is the safest state in the country to raise a family, the Attorney General is devoting taxpayer dollars and scarce government resources to pursue symbolic lawsuits and other civil actions that serve only to promote his own agenda and political career. This bill sends a clear message from the people of Virginia: not in our name, and not with our money.”

Ebbin’s legislation comes on the heels of bills introduced by Sens. J.  Chapman Petersen (D-Fairfax) and Donald McEachin (D-Henrico) aimed at restricting the ability of the Attorney General to issue civil subpoenas under the Virginia Fraud Against Taxpayers Act.