Perry – you’re next!
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, have been found guilty of multiple federal corruption charges, a jury in Richmond announced Thursday.
Mr. McDonnell was found guilty on all 11 charges of corruption and conspiracy in connection with the couple’s accepting more than $170,000 in gifts and loans in exchange for helping former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie R. Williams Sr. promote his business and the nutritional supplement product Anatabloc. The former governor was found guilty of one charge and not guilty of another charge of making false statements on a loan application.
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Mrs. McDonnell was found guilty of eight out of 11 corruption charges and one charge of obstruction of justice.
The McDonnells reportedly sobbed as the guilty verdicts were read aloud in the courtroom and left the courthouse separately without making comment. Reporters followed the former governor to a waiting car, where he turned and thanked them for the way in which they handled the case.
Sentencing is set for Jan. 6, and Mr. McDonnell’s attorney pledged an appeal.
“This fight is far from over,” said Henry Asbill, who called the verdict disappointing.
Prosecutors made only brief statements outside of the courthouse after the verdict was returned and seemed deliberately to avoid any appearance of celebration at the decision.
“This is a difficult and disappointing day for the commonwealth and its citizens,” said Dana J. Boente, the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. “Public service frequently requires sacrifice. and almost always require financial sacrifice. When public officials turn to financial gain in exchange for official acts, we have little choice but to prosecute the case.”
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., leaving an unrelated event in the District, said upon hearing the news that the “case that was well tried by the Eastern District of Virginia.”
Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe issued a sober reaction, foregoing any hint of partisanship in his remarks.
“I am deeply saddened by the events of the trial that ended in today’s verdict, and the impact it has had on our Commonwealth’s reputation for honesty and clean government,” the Democratic governor said.
Jurors began deliberating Tuesday morning after five weeks of testimony in the case. The verdict was announced at about 3 p.m.
Mr. McDonnell repeatedly and steadfastly proclaimed his innocence during hours on the stand in the trial in his own defense, saying he never even knew what Mr. Williams wanted from him and that he afforded him typical constituent service.
Mr. Williams, testifying under immunity, said he was using the McDonnells to get clinical trials at public universities in the state for Anatabloc. Prosecutors pointed to events at the Executive Mansion involving Mr. Williams, including one tied to the launch of Anatabloc, as evidence that Mr. Williams got at least some of what he was looking for in exchange for the largesse he offered the couple and their children.
In addition to $120,000 in low-interest loans, Mr. Williams also lavished golf rounds and equipment on the family and wrote a $15,000 check to help cover the cost of the wedding of one of the McDonnells’ daughters, Cailin. He also gave a $10,000 check as an engagement present to the McDonnells’ eldest daughter Jeanine.
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Read more: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2014/sep/4/jury-reaches-verdict-corruption-case-against-forme/#ixzz3COqK3ygw