Head of FBI Richmond removed after he ‘ran afoul of conservatives,’ New York Times says

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The head of FBI Richmond is among multiple veteran agents removed from their positions after they "ran afoul of conservatives," according to the New York Times.

The New York Times reports that Stanley Meador, special agent in charge of Richmond's FBI field office, has been put on administrative leave and "was expected to retire."

Sources familiar with the FBI, including current and former agents, told the New York Times that Meadow's removal is one of several "transfers, ousters and demotions" within the agency as FBI director Kash Patel works to "remake" it under President Donald Trump.

"The wave of changes, current and former agents say, amount to little more than retaliation, underscoring what they describe as the politicization of the FBI as its leaders seek to mollify Mr. Trump’s supporters," the New York Times said.

Meador was reportedly at the center of a controversy involving a 2023 memo issued by his office that warned of "possible threats posed by 'radical-traditionalist' Catholics," the New York Times said.

The memo was subject to an internal inquiry by the U.S. Department of Justice, which later concluded that it showed "no evidence of malicious intent" -- though it did violate professional standards.

8News reached out to FBI Richmond for comment on Meador's removal.

"It is FBI policy not to comment on personnel matters," a spokesperson said.

A top deputy out of Norfolk, Michael Feinberg, and senior agent Spencer Evans out of Las Vegas, Nevada were also "targeted" alongside Meador after they "ran afoul of conservatives," per the New York Times.