RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A nonprofit organization that tracks campaign funds has released data showing that state lawmakers are accepting fewer gifts than a year ago.
Data from the Virginia Public Access Project shows that 74 lawmakers reported taking a gift worth more than $50 between November 2015 and April. That number dropped by 15 percent compared to the same time frame a year ago, when 87 lawmakers reported taking gifts.
The Virginian Pilot reports that lawmakers acknowledged their behavior has changed following the conviction of former Gov. Bob McDonnell in a scandal involving more than $170,000 in gifts and off-the-books loans.
The General Assembly amended state law in 2015 to ban certain gifts over $100 annually. Sen. Frank Wagner says lawmakers have been accepting fewer gifts after the law went into effect.
