Governor, MWAA's Martire Reach Settlement

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday that the Commonwealth and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority have reached a settlement with Dennis Martire, the former MWAA Board Member who was was fighting his removal from the group for questionable spending.

“Today, the Commonwealth of Virginia, the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority and former board member Dennis Martire reached agreement on the terms of a settlement that put to an end the months of unnecessary and costly litigation between the parties regarding my decision to remove Martire for cause as a board member of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority," McDonnell said in a statement.

"The full MWAA board considered and approved the terms of the confidential settlement."

McDonnell said Martire has resigned effective Oct. 17, and a replacement will be named after the October board meeting.

Martire, a Democratic appointee to the 13-member board, says his removal from the group that is charged with constructing Metrorail's Silver Line is politically motivated.

McDonnell (R) has argued that Martire damaged his credibility with questionable expenses, including spending nearly $9,200 to travel business class to Europe.

Martire, an official with the Laborers’ International Union of North America, was appointed to the board by the previous governor, Tim Kaine (D).

Martire has clashed with McDonnell over several issues, including a labor-friendly provision as part of the Phase 2 of the Silver Line.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that fighting over the ouster cost MWAA more than $75,000.

“I am pleased that all parties agreed to immediately stop the litigation and pursue dismissal of Martire’s lawsuit and MWAA’s action, both with prejudice, McDonnell said.  "We are happy to put this unnecessary and expensive distraction behind us and look forward to continuing to improve the accountability of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority. "

To read more on the Martire issue, click here.

To read about MWAA's recent ethics changes, click here.