Virginia Military Institute Superintendent J.H. Binford Peay abruptly resigned Monday, less than a week after Gov. Ralph Northam ordered an investigation into allegations of abject racism involving the school’s Black cadets and alumni.
The announcement of the probe came after The Washington Post reported that a lawsuit alleging incidences of waterboarding, sexual harassment and hazing at the school had been filed.
The Democratic governor sent the letter signed by Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, Attorney General Mark Herring and other lawmakers to VMI’s Board of Visitors announcing the “independent, third-party review” of the institute after Black cadets and alumni said they endured racism while attending the school, according to The Post.
Despite a letter from the board attesting to Peay’s exemplary 17 years of service, it said the school will immediately begin the search for his replacement.