Gary Walker case to be heard by grand jury

The case against Gary Walker is headed to a grand jury and we now have a date for that hearing. Court proceedings are moving forward for a hearing on June 5.

Walker, the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors Chairman, faces three felony counts of perjury and two misdemeanor counts, alleging he violated Virginia’s Conflict of Interest Act. The 73-year-old Charlotte Court House resident turned himself in to Virginia State Police back on Thursday, Jan. 11.

Walker appeared in a hearing before the Charlotte General District Court on Friday, April 19, where evidence was presented in support of the charges against him. Based on the evidence heard, the Court found enough probable cause to move forward. The case was certified by the General Court and bound to a grand jury in the Charlotte Circuit Court. Bond was set for Walker by the General Court and he was released on his own recognizance.

Originally, a preliminary hearing in the case had been scheduled way back on Friday, Jan. 19, but that was continued as officials secured a special prosecutor and judge to take over. Since Gary Walker is a public figure from Charlotte County, he would possibly be familiar with some of the judges and prosecutors. Bringing someone in from outside simply avoids that issue.

Halifax County Commonwealth’s Attorney Tracy Q. Martin agreed to serve as special prosecutor in the case, while retired judge Robert L. Adams took over on the bench.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

To be clear, this June 5 hearing is not a trial. If Walker is indicted by the grand jury following the June 5 hearing, he will appear again in Circuit Court for further proceedings including possible arraignment and plea entry on the related charges. He could then face trial.

Charges were filed against Charlotte County Board of Supervisors Chairman January 11, 2024.

The Virginia State Police’s Appomattox Field Office handled the case and the case was authorized by the Office of the Virginia Attorney General. The initial complaint was filed with the Virginia Attorney General’s office in 2016 over “concerns about the accuracy of information Walker allegedly provided on his annual Statement of Economic Interests (SEI) forms filed between Jan. 1, 2016, and Jan. 11, 2023.”

Prosecution claims the three felony charges involve situations from Jan. 1, 2016 to Jan. 11, 2023. Warrants for the Charlotte County Board of Supervisors Chairman’s arrest document the felony charges as “willfully swearing falsely regarding a material matter while under oath” in violation of Virginia law. The warrants do not include any information about the alleged false statement(s) Walker is accused of making, nor do the warrants identify the material matter that is the basis of the perjury charges.

What has been reported by Walker, under oath, show that at various times between 2016 until Jan. 11, 2023, he received compensation from serving as a teacher employed by the Charlotte County School Board, as well as on the board of Mid-Atlantic Broadband Communities Corporation and as the owner of Cornerstone Insurance Agency.

The conflict of interest charges pending against Walker allege that he omitted information about properties he owns or holds an economic interest in at 398 David Avenue and at 351 Watkins Drive in Charlotte County. The prosecution alleges this information was omitted from his Statement of Economic Interest form filed Jan. 11, 2023.

Editor’s note: Nate Pentecost wrote this story for the Charlotte Gazette.

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