Prosecutors seeking criminal charges against former Council candidate Tavares Floyd

Richmond prosecutors are preparing to seek four felony charges of election fraud against former City Council candidate Tavares Floyd, according to a filing in Richmond Circuit Court that indicates the case will be presented to a grand jury next week.

During his unsuccessful run for office last year, Floyd filed campaign finance paperwork that showed he was raising an unexpectedly large amount of money for a challenger trying to oust an incumbent in a local election.

As his campaign finance paperwork drew scrutiny, several people he listed as donors said they had not actually given him money, casting doubt on the accuracy of his fundraising reports.

Floyd denied the allegations, and it wasn’t immediately clear at the time if the issue could cause him any legal trouble. But the document filed in the courthouse signals that — a year later — law enforcement has seen enough to pursue a criminal case.

Floyd could not be reached for comment. A recorded message at a phone number he previously used said the number had been “changed, disconnected or is no longer in service.” He also did not immediately respond to requests for comment sent to two email addresses previously associated with him.

A Virginia State Police special agent appeared to be leading the investigation, according to the grand jury form laying out the possible charges. State Police declined to comment, saying the matter was still an “open and active investigation.”

Under Virginia law, intentionally false statements on campaign paperwork are considered a form of election fraud. 

The court filing, which is dated Sept. 19, doesn’t mean Floyd has been charged or has been found guilty of any wrongdoing. The grand jury, which is scheduled to hear the case Monday, will decide if there is enough evidence to allow city prosecutors to bring charges against him. 

Asked about the Floyd filing in a brief interview outside the courthouse, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin said “the document exists.”

“I’ll have something to say after the grand jury meets,” she said.

All four potential charges match the dates of campaign finance reports Floyd filed with the Virginia Department of Elections related to his failed 2024 run against longtime Councilor Ellen Robertson in Richmond’s 6th District. Robertson, who previously employed Floyd as her Council aide, won re-election to her seat.

Because many political donors are inclined to give money to strong-looking candidates, inflated fundraising numbers could potentially impact endorsement and donation decisions. After the allegations against Floyd surfaced last year, multiple local groups rescinded their endorsements of him.

Whether Floyd is aware of the latest filing also remains unclear. The document lists an address for him near the Canal Walk. However, in November and December 2024, Floyd’s landlord at the same address opened eviction proceedings against him because she said he hadn’t been paying his rent. The court ruled in her favor and awarded her more than $16,000. 

Contact Reporter Sarah Vogelsong at svogelsong@richmonder.org, and Graham Moomaw at gmoomaw@richmonder.org.