Federal Complaint Alleges Campaign Misconduct
Federal prosecutors have formally accused Chesapeake Sheriff David Rosado of exploiting his official authority to compel staff members to assist his 2025 reelection efforts. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel submitted a complaint to the Merit Systems Protection Board last week, charging Rosado with breaching the federal Hatch Act by leveraging his position to sway electoral outcomes and demanding that sheriff's office personnel provide financial contributions, volunteer hours, and labor for his campaign.
Unprecedented Disciplinary Action
This marks the first instance in over ten years that the federal ethics oversight body has initiated such a disciplinary proceeding against a state or local official, as reported by the Washington Post. The Hatch Act governs federal employees and extends to state and local workers who receive federal funding.
Prosecutors claim Rosado consistently depended on sheriff's office employees to promote his campaign, including imposing fundraising ticket quotas on supervisors according to their rank and expecting staff to pay for any unsold tickets themselves.
The complaint further states that employees were instructed to manage campaign fundraising events, erect campaign signs throughout the city, conduct neighborhood canvassing, and work at polling stations—sometimes using personal leave during regular work hours.
Background on the Election
These allegations arise from Rosado's failed attempt to keep his position. He was defeated in the Republican primary in June 2025 and subsequently ran as a write-in candidate in the general election after departing from the Republican Party. He lost to the party's nominee, Wallace Chadwick.
The Post notes that the complaint could lead to Rosado's removal from office, though this is improbable since he has fewer than two weeks remaining in his term. Chadwick is scheduled to assume office on January 1.
WHRO reached out to the Chesapeake Sheriff's Office for a statement but received no reply.
