Facing transparency criticism, Stoney defends his administration and city credit card program

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) – Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney pushed back Wednesday on criticism of a lack of transparency by his administration and reports of apparent improper use of city-issued credit cards in City Hall.

Stoney, who is running for Virginia lieutenant governor in 2025, told the press at Richmond City Hall that he called a press conference for Wednesday “to answer your questions and correct the record.”

He addressed an array of issues, from reports in the Richmond Times-Dispatch on the city’s purchasing credit card practices to meals tax problems for businesses and recent firings in the finance department.

“Frankly, I’m tired of people s***-talking my city,” Stoney said Wednesday.

Stoney said, “City Hall isn’t perfect,” but defended the implementation of the purchasing credit cards for city employees after reporting in the Times-Dispatch found apparent violations by employees and the mayor’s former spokesperson, Petula Burks, who reportedly used her card to make payments to a company run by her former business partner.

“Today I’m here to be very clear with you. Ninety-nine percent of our p-card holders are in good standing,” Stoney said.

Of the 336 city employees with cards, Stoney said that only five are currently suspended and that three were from the general registrar’s office , which reports to the city’s Electoral Board. He said of the two within City Hall, one belonged to Burks, who resigned from her post.

The mayor claimed the program has helped clear red tape that held up purchases for easy fixes and vital changes, increasing efficiency and allowing the city to earn cash back for its general fund.

Under the city’s old system, Stoney said employees would have to go through a purchase order process and procurement. The city, the mayor said, will ensure violators of policies are held accountable and that his administration initiated a review of every department’s card use.

“Our procurement office has been working diligently to monitor this program and ensure everyone is compliant with our policies, while also ensuring that the city of Richmond is able to be an effective and efficient government,” the mayor said Wednesday.

“I will not let the poor judgment of some to define the work of all the employees,” Stoney added.

Stoney shared that restaurant owners who settled with the city over a meals tax issue that led to massive penalties were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements.

Major issues with Richmond’s meals tax notification process led restaurant owners to come forward publicly with their problems of not being notified of past-due balances, getting inaccurate information and having their bills balloon with massive penalties.

Cases were resolved through settlements between the city and restaurants. At Wednesday’s press conference, Stoney acknowledged previously reported accounts that business owners were asked to sign non-disclosure agreements as part of the settlements.

When asked why those agreements were part of the deals, Stoney said he believed it was because it involved tax relief records.

The city has reviewed 604 businesses to see whether they were eligible for relief for their meals tax bills, Stoney said, and 125 were inactive, 200 were disqualified and 279 qualified for relief. Stoney added that Richmond has completed reviews for 120 businesses.

Stoney also admitted that employees in Richmond’s Department of Finance were fired recently but said he didn’t know how many and when they were let go. He also didn’t share the reason for the firings, only saying that if people didn’t meet the department’s standards they wouldn’t be working there.

Virginia Public Media reported in June that several finance department employees were fired.

When asked about complaints and concerns over dysfunction in City Hall, Stoney said those views weren’t fair despite “missteps” by his administration.

“I’ve always asked that you all not compare me to the almighty but compare me to the alternative,” Stoney said Wednesday. “That’s all I ask.”

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