Officials say substance in Va. letters harmless
By Officials say suspicious letters sent to two Virginia congressmen on Friday were harmless and were sent by the same person, who is cooperating with police.
Authorities reported Friday that letters containing a white, powdery substance were sent to the Virginia Beach office of Rep. Scott Rigell and the Chesapeake office of Rep. Randy Forbes, both Republicans.
On Monday, they said instead that it was a red, waxy substance found in the letters. Initial tests determined they were harmless, but samples were sent to a lab in Richmond for testing and confirmed to be non-hazardous.
Authorities say the substance likely was red sealing wax.
WAVY-TV reports that authorities have spoken with the person who sent the politically-motivated letters and determined that he posed no threat.
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