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
American Songs Concert Coming to First Baptist Church in Front Royal on October 25
When Grief Doesn’t Ease With Time
Sudden Cardiac Arrest May Not Be As Sudden As Its Name Suggests
100 Years of Hundred Acre Wood
A Moment of Honor: Veterans Receive a Powerful Tribute at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Samuels Public Library Invites Young Writers and Artists to Enter 48th Annual Holiday Contest
New Exhibitions Bring World-Class Contemporary Art to Downtown Front Royal
VDOT: Warren County Traffic Alert for October 19 – 23, 2026
Discover The Many Benefits Of Organized Sports
The Family Bond That Doesn’t Necessarily End When Contact Does
Virginia State Police Urge Drivers to Stop for School Buses and Students
Economic Development Director Patrick Barker Details Maturing Plan at Town-County Liaison Meeting
Virginia Breeders’ Championships Begin This Weekend at Shenandoah Downs
Local Author Invited to Share Children’s Book at Irish Castle That Inspired It
Virginia State Police Seize More Than $334,000 in Drugs, Recover Five Firearms in Weeklong Operations
Business Growth Series: Big Projects Don’t Get Done — Small Tasks Do
Data Center Moratorium Bills Stack Up Ahead of Virginia Legislative Session in January
Transgender Care for Young Patients Remains On Hold at Virginia Hospitals
Commentary: Spanberger’s Energy Plan Dazzles – and Disappoints
The Workplace Accommodation That Costs Nothing
Nothing In Dolly Parton’s Library Is Ever Returned
Trump: Execution of Fort Hood Shooter Will Not Be Livestreamed
Harmony Hollow Holler Music Festival Brings Appalachian Music to Front Royal October 17
Winsome Earle-Sears Warns of Consequences of Virginia’s Proposed Constitutional Amendments
