Hampton City Councilman Chris Bowman censured after encounter with prostitute
Hampton City Council unanimously voted Wednesday to censure Councilman Chris Bowman for conduct unbecoming of a public official after court documents detailed his sexual encounter with a prostitute.
Vice Mayor Jimmy Gray said Bowman’s actions violated the “moral and ethical standards with respect to council members.” He also said Bowman’s behavior “undermines the trust and confidence of the constituents that he represents.”
Due to the situation, Gray said Hampton council members and staff have received numerous inquiries from the media and the public and that the matter has taken up time and “negatively impacted the work of this body on behalf of the Hampton citizens.”
Gray then introduced a motion to censure Bowman, which is “a form of expression of disapproval and admonishment.”
“It is our belief that his actions are contrary to the integrity and standards that the Hampton City Council upholds,” Gray said.
The Daily Press reported last week on criminal charges brought against a man accused of extorting Bowman. Court documents filed in the case state that in January 2022, Bowman paid a woman $200 for oral sex at a Newport News hotel room. When he returned to his car, he found several items were missing — including his personal cellphone. A man later demanded Bowman pay $5,000 for the return of the cellphone, or else its contents would be publicly released.
The court documents said Bowman paid the $5,000 but he did not receive the phone. Police arrested Michael Eugene Brown II, of Hampton, more than a year later — on June 17 — on a felony extortion charge.
Bowman was not charged with any crime.
On Wednesday night, Hampton resident Aaron Weaver offered harsh criticism toward Bowman and urged the council to do something.
“We want clarity; we want you all to do something, to act accordingly,” Weaver said. “Because without action, you are right with him.”
Shortly after, Gray introduced a motion to censure Bowman.
City spokesperson Robin McCormick clarified after the meeting that the censure doesn’t impact what Bowman can and can’t do as a council member, but said it was a way for council members to voice disapproval.
Gray said he hopes the censure will serve as a strong message to Bowman and the community that “such actions will not be tolerated.”
“We call on Councilman Bowman to reflect on his behavior and take immediate steps to redress his conduct,” Gray said. “It is essential that all members of this council, as representatives of the community, uphold the public trust and act in the best interest of our constituents.”
Gray, Mayor Donnie Tuck, and council members Hope Harper, Martha Mugler, Billy Hobbs and Steven Brown voted in favor of censuring Bowman.
Bowman, who was at the meeting, did not participate in the vote and did not address his censure or the comments made about him.
When previously asked about the court case and incident, Bowman confirmed to the Daily Press he met with the woman but said he was unaware soliciting a prostitute was a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia — punishable by up to a year in jail.
“It was a one-time thing,” he said.
Josh Janney, joshua.janney@virginiamedia.com.
