NEW: Winsome Sears Faces Legal Scrutiny Following Attempted Cover Up of Gifted International Travel, Other Free Trips

NEW: Winsome Sears Faces Legal Scrutiny Following Attempted Cover Up of Gifted International Travel, Other Free Trips

Virginia Scope: “The amended filing raises questions about whether Earle-Sears violated state disclosure laws”

New reporting from the Virginia Scope details how “Winsome Earle-Sears is facing potential legal scrutiny after failing to disclose multiple trips paid for by outside organizations on her required financial disclosure forms.”

Specifically, the report notes that “Earle-Sears amended her Statement of Economic Interests (SOEI) last week to reflect participation in seven trips funded by third-party groups, despite originally certifying in February that she had taken none.”

While Sears “did not respond to a request for comment,” Virginia Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell stated, “Failure to disclose third party funded travel is a Class 5 Felony.”

“Winsome Earle-Sears got caught taking gifts she was required to disclose, didn’t disclose the gifts and now is covering it up. What else has she failed to disclose? Why should Virginians trust her that there are not more gifts she is hiding from them?” said DGA Communications Director Sam Newton.

Virginia Scope: Earle-Sears amended her 2024 SOEI filing to add seven trips paid for by outside groups

• On her original SOEI filing in February of 2025, Earle-Sears said she did not receive “any lodging, transportation, money, or other thing of value with a combined value exceeding $100 during the prior calendar year.”

• She signed the form, swearing the information was “full, true, and correct to the best of my knowledge.”

• Stanfield published his original story on May 16, revealing that Earle-Sears had not disclosed the trip to Israel. He also stated that he had sent a FOIA to her office, requesting information about the trip on May 15.

• On May 22, Earle-Sears filed an amended SOEI form that now includes seven trips paid for by outside groups.

• The amended filing raises questions about whether Earle-Sears violated state disclosure laws, which require public officials to report gifts, travel, and other benefits received in connection with their official duties.

• Stanfield told Virginia Scope he plans to do just that by filing a lawsuit against Earle-Sears in Richmond Circuit Court this week.

• While the omissions might not have a legal impact on Earle-Sears, it lends to the narrative that her campaign has been messy.

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