VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Documents obtained by 13News Now are shedding light on expenses that may have triggered an investigation into former Virginia Beach Economic Development Director, Charles “Chuck” Rigney.
Receipts and expense reports show Rigney spent approximately $47,000 in city money during his year-long tenure in Virginia Beach. During that time, he took trips to Brazil, Italy, Spain, Germany, New York and Las Vegas.
The city hired Rigney in March 2023, and he took the official economic development director role in February 2024. Six months later in July, he resigned.
On Aug. 13, City Manager Patrick Duhaney referenced an investigation into Rigney’s spending during a City Council meeting, saying, “It has been confirmed through a comprehensive review of our department financial records that some travel expenses do not align with our policies.”
An auditor is now looking into those purchases.
Duhaney added, “Any abuse by city staff of the privilege to travel and represent the city of Virginia Beach will not be tolerated.”
It is not clear which exact purchases triggered an investigation, but emails show finance department and city manager staffers called a meeting in July to discuss missing receipts and a set of expense reports from a May trip to Las Vegas.
Finance director Letitia Shelton wrote, “I am sending back to you about four expense reports for Chuck. The expense reports are related to his Vegas trip and I have a few questions.”
Following that meeting, less than two weeks before Rigney’s resignation, deputy city manager Amanda Jarratt emailed Rigney.
She wrote, “Letitia and I met last week regarding expenses in Economic Development and missing receipts. Pam will be coordinating a meeting for the three of us to review the City’s financial policies and understand certain expenses.”
Emails also asked to discuss a $329 bill from Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater, over $200 of which was spent on alcohol. Rigney provided more details about the outing, saying he hoped to convince a Norfolk-based attorney to open a location in Virginia Beach.
Wayne Bostain is a Virginia Beach-based forensic accountant. He told 13News Now, that when it comes to financial investigation, looking at how spending aligns with organizational policy is key, no matter how much money was spent.
“The detail, the minutia, somebody has to compare those receipts to the standard,” said Bostain. “If they don’t meet the standard, then you’ve got a problem. The dollar amount may not be as important as what the expenditures were for.”
Rigney could not be reached for comment.
In a statement, Virginia Beach public relations liaison Ali Weatherton-Shook said, “The City has provided documents responsive to the FOIA request, as required by law, this matter remains under investigation by the City Auditor and it would be inappropriate to respond further until his investigation is complete.”
The investigation will be made public when complete.
