A former Virginia Beach prosecutor has been indicted on charges including embezzlement, forging checks, money laundering. He is accused of taking victim restitution money.
James Panagis worked for the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office from Aug. 22, 2015, to Feb. 16, 2022, when he left “on his own accord” with no disciplinary issues at the time, according to Commonwealth Attorney Colin Stolle. In a statement released late Tuesday evening, Stolle said he called for an investigation into Panagis in August 2022 “after discovering irregularities” in his files.
A Virginia Beach grand jury indicted Panagis on four counts each of embezzlement by a public officer and uttering a forged check, along with one count each of embezzlement of more than $500 and money laundering.
The prosecution of Panagis’ case will be handled by the Chesterfield County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office due to the Virginia Beach office’s conflict of interest, Stolle said.
“Prosecutors, in particular, must practice law with the utmost integrity in order for the justice system to work, and that is what I expect from the prosecutors in my office,” Stolle said. “While ethical restraints prevent me from commenting on a pending investigation, I will be available to answer questions when this matter is concluded.”
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
