In June, we interviewed Tavares Floyd, then an emerging candidate in the Richmond 6th District City Council race, during which he announced his run to us for the first time. Floyd came forward as a passionate advocate for systemic reform, connecting his political aspirations to deeply personal stories of civil rights and family history.
He went further, sharing that his drive to enter politics was inspired by the tragic death of his cousin, George Floyd. It was a compelling narrative that seemed tailor-made for Richmond’s political landscape, yet recent revelations have cast serious doubt on key details about Floyd’s campaign.
We initially held off on reporting these issues, hoping to hear a response from Floyd. However, after his press conference this weekend, where he simply refuted all allegations without addressing specifics, we’re left with no choice but to ask: Did Tavares Floyd mislead RVA Magazine—and the Richmond community?
Questioning the Family Connection
A central part of Floyd’s story was his claim of a familial bond with George Floyd, portraying George’s death as the spark that fueled his desire to pursue public office. “When George died, it really gave me the energy and passion to run,” Floyd shared with us, noting that civil rights attorney Ben Crump “represented my cousin George’s case.” He positioned this supposed family connection as the root of his dedication to addressing police brutality and social reform.
However, recent inquiries suggest a different reality. On October 22nd, The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported that they spoke with members of Floyd’s family, including his sister, who dismissed the claim as “a big lie.” Another relative noted uncertainty around any relationship between the two families. This discrepancy brings Floyd’s story—and his credibility—into question.
Fundraising and Financial Reporting Discrepancies
Recent investigations have uncovered significant discrepancies in Tavares Floyd’s campaign finance reports, with several purported donors denying any contributions. A report by the Richmond Times-Dispatch, titled “5 Reported Donors to Tavares Floyd Say They Never Made Contributions,” highlights these inconsistencies.
One notable example is Chicago businessman Willie Wilson, who stated he neither donated to Floyd’s campaign nor knows him personally. Another claimed donor, Veronica Love, an assistant attorney general in Maryland, was reported to have given $1,000 on June 16, but she also denies making any such contribution.
The report includes further irregularities, such as Daisy Shaw, listed as a $2,500 contributor on May 19. Shaw, once co-owner of Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home in Jackson, Tennessee, passed away in 1984, according to a representative from the funeral home.
These discrepancies, among others, raise serious concerns about the accuracy and transparency of Floyd’s financial reporting, suggesting potential irregularities that Richmond voters may wish to scrutinize closely.
Attorney Credentials Questioned
After publishing our initial interview with Tavares Floyd on social media, we received private messages from readers questioning his claims of being an attorney. Given our limited resources and time, we did not pursue these comments further—especially since, in nearly 20 years of publishing, we hadn’t encountered someone potentially misrepresenting themselves like this.
However, a recent VPM report revealed that Floyd is not licensed to practice law in any U.S. state or territory. According to VPM, “Floyd is unlikely to be a licensed lawyer anywhere in the U.S.” This underscores the need for more thorough verification when questions are being asked.
Recent Response to Allegations
On November 2, 2024, Floyd held a press conference addressing the accumulating allegations, stating firmly, “I refute all of it.” He stopped short of providing details or counter-evidence, declining to take any questions from the press. This response does little to quell the concerns or to clarify the inconsistencies raised, leaving both us—and Richmond’s voters—wondering about the veracity of his statements.
To add to that, we received the following documents from the Willie Hilliard Jr. Campaign a few weeks ago: Willie Hilliard has asked Richmond and Virginia election authorities to investigate multiple violations by Floyd’s campaign. You can read the official document HERE.
In addition, Hilliard filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request with Richmond City Council to obtain records related to Floyd’s hiring and employment under Councilwoman Ellen Robertson. The FOIA request seeks to uncover whether Floyd used his position within city government for personal financial gain and whether city officials were aware of any unethical behavior. You can read the official document HERE.
Where Does This Leave Us?
We strive to represent Richmond accurately. Our initial interview with Floyd was conducted in good faith based on the information he presented to us at the time. But now, as new evidence and troubling allegations come to light, we wanted to make sure that our readers were aware of these allegations ahead of the vote happening tomorrow, and we want you to know going forward we will do a better job following up.
You can read our full interview with Tavares Floyd HERE.
Also, read about our Election Reader’s Poll results HERE.
