Delgaudio Relents On Censure, Apologizes For ‘Embarrassment’ Caused

Sterling Supervisor Eugene Delgaudio on Friday announced that he would no longer fight the board of supervisors’ decision to censure him and strip him of committee assignment, but he said he would continue to seek control of his district budget.

Supervisors took action Delgaudio after a grand jury took the unusual step of issuing a report on its investigation of allegations that Delgaudio used his public office and staff for personal or political gain. The grand jury report indicated that it could not indict Delgaudio because he is not considered a full-time supervisor.

The Loudoun County Republican Committee came to Delgaudio's defense, passing a resolution Monday asking that the board reverse its decision to take control of the Sterling District budget away from Delgaudio and form an ad hoc committee to investigate the accusations further.

During a press conference at the Loudoun Government Center in Leesburg, Delgaudio and his attorney, Charles King, said they have requested that a lawsuit the supervisor filed against the board calling for a reversal of their decisions be dismissed. Delgaudio also apologized for the episode and said time had come for the board to get back to working for its constituents.

“I apologize to the public and to the board for the embarrassment this incident has caused,” Delgaudio said, adding that he has plenty of fence mending to ahead. “I should have been more careful. I will be more careful.”

Delgaudio said he would at some point request control of the Sterling District budget again, but for now he would make requests for fund on an item-by-item basis.

The Loudoun County Democratic Committee quickly responded by saying Delgaudio’s apology fell short.

"Supervisor Delgaudio's statement today is further illustration that he feels no responsibility, or remorse, for his failure to serve or represent the citizens of Sterling while he has been in office,” said LCDC Chair Evan Macbeth. “His ‘apology’ focused primarily on the ‘embarrassment’ that Loudoun's Republicans have experienced. He did not apologize today – nor has he ever – for his abuses of office and violations of county policies. Sterling deserves better."