The executive director of the newly formed ethics council in Virginia has been removed from this position. Chris Piper was fired from his post at the Virginia Conflict of Interest and Ethics Advisory Council after some legislators claimed they thought he was an attorney when he, in fact, is not. Piper was hired by the Division of Legislative Services and confirmed by the Rules Committee.

This change adds a new twist as Gov. Terry McAuliffe considers further changes to the state’s ethics laws. McAuliffe has not yet announced his intentions.