Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam may or may not be in that blackface photo, 3-month investigation concludes


Remember Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam?
The Democrat got into some major hot water back in February when a photo of two people, one in blackface and one in a Ku Klux Klan robe, was found on his Eastern Virginia Medical School yearbook page. Yet Northam somehow slunk from the spotlight as EVMS conducted a probe into the picture. And more than three months later, investigators have decided not to decide whether Northam was in it.
A conservative publication posted Northam's 1984 yearbook page back in early February, and several sources confirmed it was real. Northam first said he was — and then said he wasn't — in the photo, so EVMS commissioned a report to determine the answer. Yet even after interviewing Northam and his former classmates, investigators "could not conclusively determine the identity of either individual depicted in the photograph," the report released Wednesday details.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Northam denied he was in the photo following its release, but said he had worn blackface on a separate occasion. He then resisted scathing calls for his resignation. That move would've left Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax (D) in charge, but he was quickly accused of sexual assault by two women. Fairfax denied the allegations.
Find the whole EVMS report here.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
What's at stake in the Mahmoud Khalil deportation fight?
Talking Points Vague accusations and First Amendment concerns
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
Why is a new Air Force One taking so long to build?
The Explainer Trump may look for alternatives for his new plane
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
New and notable podcasts for March
Feature The MeidasTouch Podcast and The Magnificent Others With Billy Corgan
By The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published