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Special prosecutor to be appointed in Barts recall

Nathaniel Cline ncline@loudountimes.com Oct 5, 2021 Updated 1 hr ago

Loudoun County Circuit Court Judge Jeanette A. Irby will appoint a special prosecutor in a case brought by a group of Loudoun County residents seeking the removal of School Board member Beth Barts (Leesburg District).

Irby granted the group’s motion to disqualify Commonwealth’s Attorney Buta Biberaj (D) and appoint a special prosecutor on Tuesday during a pre-trial hearing on motions in front of couple dozen people following the case in court and online.

She said while she has respects Biberaj, the appearance of impartiality was one of the deciding factors in her decision. Citizens of the Leesburg District, which brought forth the petition, requested Biberaj recuse herself due to what the citizens’ group argued is a conflict of interest. ... Biberaj said she took no issue with Irby’s decision.

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Irby asked the attorneys to give her a week to find a prosecutor. She also granted a motion for Fight for Schools, a political action committee, to be a plaintiff in the case due to their interest.

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As reported on Sept. 1, Barts was ordered to appear to show cause why she should not be removed from office based on the “enumerated charges” brought forth by Citizens of the Leesburg District.

The group that filed the petition collected 1,860 signatures, claiming that Barts’ “neglect of duty, misuse of office, and incompetence in the performance of her duties” are among the reasons for their petition.

Fight for Schools has continuously accused LCPS of “indoctrinating” students with ideas rooted in critical race theory and led a recall effort of six of the nine board members.

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