Mayor calls for Moody's resignation

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - The mayor of Portsmouth is calling for the resignation of a longtime council member accused of having an extramarital affair that allegedly produced a love child.

Portsmouth Mayor Kenny Wright said Councilman Bill 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.

Court documents allege Moody pushed the woman toward her car, "angry because I would not leave."

In the documents filed by Moody, he said she "hit me in the head and made verbal, threatening comments."

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

Wright said Moody misled Portsmouth City Council months ago to the nature of his relationship with the woman.

"He addressed us when she was coming to council several months ago as a 'disgruntled employee,'" Wright told 10 On Your Side.

Moody has been married for 41 years. In a letter, Moody's wife asked Wright to back off the matter at hand.

Wright said he has learned a lot more since the arrest warrants were filed last week. He said 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.

In response, Moody is requesting a paternity test. The woman involved has denied his prior request for the test.

Wright also told WAVY.com he received information Moody had attempted to rent a home for the woman as well as a check paying for child support.

Wright said the woman feels as though she is being bullied by Moody, which, if it were true, is an abuse of power.

"We should be talking about the budget the quality of life issues in our communities, recreational centers... this is a distraction," Wright said.

Portsmouth City Council will be meeting Tuesday evening.