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Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, is asking U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to sign off on Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s appointments of three former legislators to state posts amid the probe into the resignation of former state Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell.

The speaker stresses that he believes McAuliffe’s appointments were legal and appropriate when he named former Del. Robert H. Brink, D-

Arlington as deputy commissioner in the Department of the Aging; former Del. Algie T. Howell Jr., D-Norfolk, to the Parole Board; and former Sen. Henry L. Marsh III, D-Richmond, to the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.

But he says he will not put them up for confirmation votes in the House of Delegates without federal prosecutors’ OK.

The speaker’s letter appears an attempt to criticize federal prosecutors for their investigation in the Puckett case. The Russell County Democrat resigned abruptly June 9, paving the way for Republicans to take over the state Senate and thwarting the governor on Medicaid expansion.

Marsh, Brink and Howell are serving in their new posts. Ordinarily, a governor formally notifies the legislature of such appointments during the next regular session, and lawmakers vote on confirmation. The next regular session begins in January.