Councilman Moody: No plans to step down

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A longtime Portsmouth City Council member told 10 On Your Side Tuesday he has no plans to step down despite the mayor's call for his resignation.

Councilman Bill Moody is accused of having an extramarital affair and fathering a child with the woman.

Portsmouth Mayor Kenny Wright said Moody's affair would have stayed a personnel matter had Moody and the woman involved not filed arrest warrants against each other last week.

"It all appears to be a personal matter between [Moody] and his family, but it has spewed into whether or not he's fit to hold office," Wright said.

Moody told 10 On Your Side before and after the meeting Tuesday he had absolutely no plans to step down.

"I think it's a private matter that needs to stay private between me my wife and God," Moody said. "The mayor's made a lot of statements... I'd rather not respond to any of them."

Monday, the city council's agenda included an item addressing council member conduct, but it was taken off the agenda late Tuesday afternoon.

Moody has served as a Portsmouth City Council member since 1998.

Even though the memo was dropped, Portsmouth residents took to public comment during the meeting to address Wright's call for Moody's resignation.

"As mayor, you represent the city and your crusade to force a resignation and take advantage of someone's personal difficulties for political advantage deserves our scorn and rejection," one resident said.

"We don't have but one friend up on this council and that's Mr. Moody. He stuck with us and the rest of y'all cut us down," another man said.

Wright told 10 On Your Side Monday Moody's alleged mistress contacted him with pictures of who appears to be Moody in a delivery room cuddled up with an infant the woman says is Moody's child. Moody is requesting a paternity test.

The sister of the woman allegedly involved with Moody released the following statement Tuesday: