A former liquor-control agent — who went on to represent clients battling the ABC department in court — has been tapped to chair the agency’s board.
Neal Insley is a Hampton Roads lawyer who’s been on both sides of disputes between the commonwealth and bar owners. He joins Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration at a time when the new governor is looking to dramatically reshape the department.
“Mr. Insley is uniquely qualified to serve as an ABC commissioner and chairman of the board,” said McDonnell spokeswoman Stacey Johnson. “He has been a law enforcement officer, ABC agent, local prosecutor, and defense attorney. He understands privatization, enforcement, and ABC regulations well.”
Insley is now representing Club Velvet, a Richmond strip club seeking to keep its liquor license from being revoked.
In 1996, Insley — then an officer with the Virginia Marine Police — joined the ABC department as a special agent, according to an official bio. He later served as an assistant commonwealth’s attorney in Newport News and Virginia Beach before moving into private practice specializing in the state’s liquor laws.
McDonnell is pushing to get Virginia out of the liquor business, a move that would dramatically shrink the scope of the agency that oversees booze sales. He wants to sell off the more than 300-state run liquor stores and put the proceeds toward transportation upgrades. McDonnell estimates the move would bring an immediate $500 million infusion, while critics say it would blast a hole in general fund from lost revenues.
This month, the General Assembly moved to open 20 new liquor stores and mark up liquor prices to help close a more than $4 billion shortfall.
Insley’s installation as ABC board chairman is one of several high-profile appointments by McDonnell. Last week, he announced Republican Del. Sam Nixon — an information technology expert — as the new head of the state’s IT agency. Another GOP House member, Matt Lohr, will serve as commissioner of the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Insley did not return calls for comment on Friday.
