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Richmond City Council approves $5.8 million restitution payment to wrongfully convicted man; council debates using delinquent-tax funds
Summary
The council voted to transfer $5.8 million from the delinquent tax sale special fund to pay restitution to Marvin Grimm under state law, prompting advocates to warn the move drains funds intended for affordable housing and prompting council members to demand tighter safeguards for the city's housing trust revenues.
The Richmond City Council voted to adopt an ordinance authorizing a $5,800,000 restitution payment to Marvin Grimm and to amend the FY 2026 budgets to transfer those funds from the delinquent tax sale special fund into a newly created restitution line item.
The administration said the payment is authorized under Virginia Code Section 8.01-195.13 and identified proceeds from delinquent tax sales as a lawful source to complete the payment. CAO Odie Donald told council the administration had identified a lawful funding source and additional resources to invest in affordable housing priorities while resolving the matter.
Why it matters: The payment closes a long-running wrongful-conviction claim, but several affordable-housing advocates and residents said the chosen funding source undermines an already underfunded Affordable Housing Trust Fund and asked the council to identify a different source.
Advocates urged alternative funding. Tracy Hartney Scott, housing chair for the Virginia State Conference NAACP, said the city should ensure Grimm receives restitution but “identify an alternative funding source…
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