Former Richmond City Council candidate indicted on election fraud charges still at large

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A former candidate for Richmond City Council remains at large two months after he was indicted for election fraud.

Tavares Floyd, who's facing four felony counts of election fraud, is still listed as a fugitive per court records.

Floyd was indicted on Monday, Oct. 6, by a grand jury on four counts of willfully making materially false statements on his campaign finance reports.

8News previously reported that the alleged offenses occurred between June and September 2024, during Floyd's campaign for Richmond City Council.

Floyd was running for the 6th District seat against Willie Hilliard and current councilmember Ellen Robertson. He previously served under Robertson as her liaison and chief of staff.

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At the time, Floyd's campaign reported receiving more than $100,000 in contributions -- significantly higher than his opponents, including incumbent Robertson who ultimately won the race.

Per the Virginia's Board of Elections' website, each of the alleged offense date matches up with a date Floyd filed a campaign finance report. Each of the four charges Floyd was indicted on is a Class 5 felony and carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Richmond’s Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin on Oct. 6 said Virginia State Police conducted dozens of interviews and obtained evidence prior to Floyd's indictment. The investigation lasted 5 months.