Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and wife convicted of corruption

[telemann.livejournal.com]

A federal jury found McDonnell guilty of 11 counts of public corruption related to his relationship with businessman Jonnie Williams Sr., who lavished the governor and his family with almost $180,000 in gifts, from watches to shopping sprees to straight cash. He is the first Virginia governor ever convicted of a crime.

The five-week trial that preceded McDonnell’s conviction — his wife, Maureen, was convicted on eight corruption counts — depicted a personal and professional life that had spiraled out of control. The McDonnell marriage was supposedly in bad shape. Maureen McDonnell, according to her own lawyers, had a “crush” on Williams. Awkward. Bob McDonnell, during his time on the stand, cast his wife as insufficiently supportive of his political career and riddled with insecurities. If their marriage wasn’t over before the trial, it sure as heck is now. A parade of witnesses said the McDonnells were willfully unaware of the trouble they were getting themselves into.

McDonnell was rumored to have been on a short list of Romney possible VP running mates in 2012. As a conservative family values governor in Virginia with possible aspirations for a Senate seat or a VP candidate, the trial offered some bizarre insights to his administration and family life. On day eight of the trial, McDonnell's former chief of staff described the governor's wife as a "nutbag."

Sutherland depicted Maureen McDonnell as so undone by her privileged surroundings and financial limitations that the first lady grabbed at gifts, raged at staff, and even falsely accused the Executive Mansion chef of trying to ruin her Christmas by serving 'bad shrimp.'

What was even more stunning was the fact that McDonnell could have avoided humiliation, not to mention the near-certain prison time he and his wife now face. He was offered, and he rejected, a plea deal proposed by federal prosecutors that would have had him plead guilty to a single count and allowed his wife to escape any charges. So McDonnell proved he wasn’t just corrupt but also inept.

More here.

Comments

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

In rejecting that plea deal, he must have thought the whole system to be as corrupt as him, and it is a little surprising and reassuring to find this is not the case.

[farchivist.livejournal.com]

Actually, it was because he believed he was divinely ordained to be Governor (confirmed by Pat Robertson), and as such, the jury would recognize that everything he did, he did for God.

No, seriously. It is quite amusing.

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

Amusing and disturbing.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

How long before Mr. Family Values blames this on gay marriage?

I hear that he didn't even look at his wife in court. No hug, nuthin.

[ericcoleman.livejournal.com]

That was a big part of their defense, that they weren't speaking to each other therefore they couldn't have conspired.

[telemann.livejournal.com]

I read some rumblings the Feds pressed this case at the insistence of Obama White House. Not to be left out, former mayor of New Orleans, Ray Nagin, is getting some jail time for his own corruption conviction.

[goumindong.livejournal.com]

Unlikely. The DC press thought that this was no big deal. Just like they thought Christie's problems were no big deal, and just as they think Rick Perry's indictment is no big deal. In each instance the local press however thought it was a big fucking deal.

Well turns out that juries don't have to worry about losing access if they vote against you.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

OBAMA CONSIDERS NAGIN A THREAT!

[telemann.livejournal.com]