Top Jan. 6th investigator fired from post at the University of Virginia

Newly instituted Attorney General of Virginia Jason Miyares fired top attorney for the University of Virginia, Timothy Heaphy, from his position.

Heaphy is currently serving as the top staff investigator for the House Select Committee probing the January 6 riot at the Capitol building last year. 

Miyares’ spokesperson Victoria LaCivita said it was routine for the attorney general to fire Heaphy, who had been on leave while employed by the January 6 panel.

“It is common practice for an incoming administration to appoint new staff that share the philosophical and legal approach of the Attorney General,” LaCivita noted in a statement. Heaphy had been hired under Mark Herring, who had served in the office since 2014, until Miyares beat him this past November. 

Although Miyares’ office has said the firing had nothing to do with Heaphy’s job working for the House Select Committee, but fellow Democrats are not as sure.

“This is purely payback for Jan. 6 – there is no other reason that makes any sense,” said Virginia state Sen. Scott Surovell. A spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Virginia said in a statement that the organization is viewing Miyares’ decision to fire Heaphy as a “shameful attempt to whitewash the incidents of January 6th and appease his far-right allies.”

The spokesperson continued, “Virginians deserve an attorney general that will serve as the people’s lawyer for the Commonwealth – not one who is beholden to the rioters of January 6.” 

LaCivita said that Heaphy was a “controversial” hire and the “decision was made after reviewing the legal decisions made over the last couple of years.”

She specifically said in a separate statement, “The decision had nothing to do with the Jan. 6 committee or their investigations.” So far, the University of Virginia, the January 6 Select Committee, and Heaphy’s office have not responded to requests for comment.