Stafford, Va. – It appears any legal questions about Eric Olsen’s residency in Stafford County were quelled by a judge Friday.
Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Lon E. Ferris tossed out a Writ of Quo Warranto lawsuit filed by a Stafford citizen, David Johnston, questioning Olsen’s residency in Stafford. The case was heard by a Prince William judge after all of Stafford’s judges recused themselves from the hearing.
Olsen is running for Commonwealth Attorney in Stafford County, and by election law must live in the jurisdiction he wishes to represent. Olsen lives in an apartment in Stafford County but still owns a home in Fredericksburg he is in the process of selling.
“The judge upheld all of the legal points of this lawsuit and also determined that a private citizen is not the legal party to file a Writ of Quo Warranto, so I don’t know what they expected to gain here. Any question about my residency were answered during the Primary Election,” said Olsen.
Olsen, who’s worked as an assistant prosecutor in Stafford County for more than 20 years, said Friday’s hearing was not publicized but was still attended by, Jason Pelt, whom he faced during the Primary Election, as well as other Independent and Democratic candidates who have long challenged him.
“I think that speaks for itself who is behind all this. This was a hearing that was never publicized but they were all there,” said Olsen.
In the end, Ferris said the lawsuit against Olsen was based on rumors and innuendo.
Ferris also found the Writ of Quo Warranto suit unmerited because Olsen has yet to be elected to public office, and Johnston not a true interested party because he, himself, is not running for the same office.
Voters will go to the polls Tuesday to vote for Stafford’s next Commonwealth Attorney. Olsen is running against Independent Tim Barbrow.
Long time Stafford County CA, Daniel Chichester, is retiring from the post after 40 years in office.
Olsen this year has campaigned on a platform of community prosecution where members of the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office venture out and educate residents about the workings of the courthouse, and provide contact information to their office. Olsen said that work has already begun as assistant prosecutors have appeared at middle schools to educate students about the workings of his office.
