RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's embattled governor has hired a state agency director removed by lawmakers following an audit showing mismanagement.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reports the General Assembly voted this month to remove Jay DeBoer from the Department of Professional and Occupational Regulations. Days later, Ralph Northam appointed the 65-year-old as a special assistant.
Northam's press secretary Alena Yarmosky says DeBoer's salary will remain at $151,759. She says "options continue to be assessed" following his "abrupt termination."
An audit conducted last year found the agency took too much time to fill vacant positions, affecting operations. DeBoer had served as agency director under Tim Kaine's and Terry McAuliffe's administrations. He was previously a Democratic state delegate.
His appointment came as Northam was mired in scandal over a racist yearbook photo and an admission of wearing blackface.
