EDA in Focus
Arrested: Former EDA director Jennifer McDonald in custody, held without bond
WARREN COUNTY – As of Friday evening, May 24, former Front Royal-Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA) Executive Director Jennifer Rae McDonald is in custody at the Rappahannock-Shenandoah-Warren Regional Jail (RSW Jail). McDonald was arrested on four felony counts, two of Fraud-Obtain Money by False Pretenses in excess of $200; and two of Larceny-Embezzlement in excess of $200.
She was processed into RSW Jail at 7:20 p.m. on arrest warrants issued by the Virginia State Police. An inmate information clerk at the jail verified via phone that McDonald was being held without bond pending a hearing in Warren County Circuit Court on Tuesday, after the Memorial Day weekend.
The former EDA executive director was present at the Warren County Circuit Courthouse Wednesday, along with other defendants in the EDA civil lawsuit seeking recovery of a minimum of $17.6 million in allegedly misappropriated or embezzled assets, as a Special Grand Jury empanelled to investigate potential criminality related to the EDA civil action began three days of witness testimony.
The State Police were also involved, with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in an April 16 search of the EDA offices on Kendrick Lane. That search saw removal of items, including a computer and cell phone used by McDonald, from her former office which had gone unused since her December 20, 2018 resignation.
Also listed as defendants in the EDA civil litigation are former Warren County Sheriff Daniel McEathron and two real estate companies he was involved in with McDonald, DaBoyz LLC and MoveOn8 LLC; Earth Right Energy Solar Commercial LLC and its principals Donald Poe and Justin Appleton; and Truc “Curt” Tran and his company ITFederal LLC.
This is a developing story and will be updated as necessary.
May 29, July 17 set for further motions arguments in EDA civil case
Trump Vows New Tariffs, Attacks Supreme Court Justices After Ruling
House Bill Gives Sex Trafficked Minors Immunity, Provides Social Services
Virginia Lawmakers Consider Civil Suits, Penalties for Masked Law Enforcement
US Supreme Court Rules Against Trump’s Tariffs in 6-3 Opinion, Dealing Blow to Trade Agenda
Ready to Unplug? Warren Coalition Challenges Community to Put Down the Phone
Other Matters of County Interest Tackled on February 17th by the Warren County Board of Supervisors
Bill to Ensure Lab Test Results Are Delivered With Maximum ‘Compassion and Humanity’ Clears House
Commentary: Halfway Through the 2026 Legislative Session, There’s Still No Consensus on Data Center Bills
Board of Zoning Appeals Sets Cap on Agricultural Pursuit in Residential Zone
Virginia Governor Spanberger to Deliver Democratic Response to Trump’s State of the Union Address
Court Halts April 21 Redistricting Vote, Siding with RNC and GOP Lawmakers
No Tax on Social Security: How It Could Affect Retirees
Richard Allen McInturff (1954 – 2026)
Barbara Ann Dotson (1942 – 2026)
The Iconic Blue FFA Jacket: A Symbol of Pride in Agriculture
Commentary: When Civic Rituals Fade, What Fills the Space?
Grand Avenue Residents Respond to Apparent Existential Threat at Town Planning Commission Meeting
Warren County School Board Approves $82.6 Million Budget After Heated Debate on Teacher Pay, Substitutes and Roof Repairs
RNC, Virginia GOP Lawmakers File Emergency Lawsuit to Stop Redistricting Vote
Legislature Considers Shifting Power Line Costs From Residents to Data Centers
Maryland, Virginia Congressional Delegation Enters the Fray Over Massive Potomac Sewage Spill
Hawkeye and the Birth of the American Myth
SRO Report Shows 116 Incidents So Far This School Year, THC Vapes Remain Concern
What to Do With That Bag of Chopped Garlic
