Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell Sentenced To Two Years In Prison
U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer said he was moved by the outpouring of support for McDonnell, though he could not ignore the jury’s verdict.
“A price must be paid,” Spencer said. “Unlike Pontius Pilate, I can’t wash my hands of it all. A meaningful sentence must be imposed.”
The penalty is a win for defense attorneys, who had asked that the former governor be sentenced to mere community service even as prosecutors advocated for a prison term stretching longer than a decade. McDonnell will likely spend less time behind bars than he spent holding the state’s highest office; he can reduce his sentence by about 15 percent with good behavior…
Though McDonnell (R) will certainly appeal his conviction, the sentence brings to a close a stunning narrative of politics, greed and family drama that reached a climax in September when McDonnell, 60, and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of public corruption. A jury found unanimously that the couple used the governor’s office to help a wealthy dietary supplement company executive advance his business interests, and in exchange, the businessman gave the McDonnells $177,000 in loans, gifts and luxury goods.
The businessman, Jonnie R. Williams Sr., testified against the McDonnells at trial in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Maureen McDonnell is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 20.
Copyright 2015 Liberaland
36 responses to Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell Sentenced To Two Years In Prison
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Budda January 7th, 2015 at 08:24
I was reading the local Richmond, Va. newspaper ( conservative rag) last week. Many letters to the editor thought he shouldn’t have been convicted at all. However, all the children were throwing mom under the bus.
Budda January 7th, 2015 at 09:24
I was reading the local Richmond, Va. newspaper ( conservative rag) last week. Many letters to the editor thought he shouldn’t have been convicted at all. However, all the children were throwing mom under the bus.