Leesburg, VA – Senator Mark Herring (D-Loudoun and Fairfax) released the following statement today applauding the University of Virginia’s decision to challenge Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s subpoena for information on former University of Virginia climate science professor Dr. Michael Mann’s research while at the university:
“I applaud UVA’s decision to stand up to Mr. Cuccinelli’s abuse of power,” Herring said. “I agree with the university that this subpoena exceeds the Attorney General’s authority and dangerously undermines academic freedom.”
“Mr. Cuccinelli’s action was clearly motivated by a personal political agenda and sets a dangerous precedent of politicians investigating professors whose findings they disagree with. It is long past time for our Attorney General to stop wasting Virginians’ time and money bolstering his political platform and instead focus on the real business of the office to which he was elected.”
Senator Herring is a practicing attorney in Leesburg and a University of Virginia alumnus.