Richmond's top election officials resign amid reports of misconduct

State of play: The city's Electoral Board voted unanimously during a three-hour closed-door meeting Wednesday morning to remove registrar Keith Balmer if he didn't resign, according to multiple media reports.

• The three-person panel told the Richmonder the IG report, plus Balmer's responses in the meeting, led them to remove him.
• Balmer's deputy, Jerry Richardson, resigned before the meeting, per the Times-Dispatch.

The other side: Balmer said in a news conference later Wednesday that he never received training on proper credit card use or procurement processes and relied on others, specifically Richardson, for guidance, per the RTD.

• But he ultimately took responsibility for his office, telling the paper "the buck stops with me."

Catch up quick: Richmond Inspector General James Osuna first opened an investigation into Balmer and his office in response to a complaint alleging misconduct and nepotism.

• Osuna substantiated 25 of the 26 allegations of waste fraud or abuse he reviewed.
• Among the substantiated claims, he found the office wasted nearly $500,000 of taxpayer's money on an office remodel, expensive furnishings and private security guards.
• A separate review by the city's HR department earlier this year found the office violated nepotism policies by hiring, promoting or awarding contracts to Balmer and Richardson's friends and family.

• That review also noted that Richardson sold Kate Spade accessories to employees during work hours to raise money for her animal rescue nonprofit.

What's next: The board said it will meet again in the "near future" to discuss hiring a new registrar, per The Richmonder.

• Balmer told the Times-Dispatch he plans to publicly address inaccuracies in the IG report.
• Of note: Registrars are appointed to four-year terms by the Richmond Electoral Board, but the city pays their salary and expenses.