Federal prosecutors urge judge to reject former Virginia governor's leniency plea

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Federal prosecutors urge judge to reject former Virginia governor's leniency plea

Associated Press in Richmond
theguardian.com, Wednesday 31 December 2014 21.28 GMT

Federal prosecutors urged a judge to reject former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s plea for leniency, arguing that the three years of community service his lawyers have recommended would amount to no punishment at all for his public corruption convictions.

In court papers filed late Tuesday, the government said McDonnell remains unrepentant and “will not relent in shifting blame for his own actions to others” – including his wife and co-defendant, Maureen – and that he deserves at least 10 years in prison for selling the influence of his office to a wealthy vitamin entrepreneur.

McDonnell’s lawyers, meanwhile, argued in briefs that the sentence sought by prosecutors is overly harsh for a defendant who devoted his life to “honorable public service” but made errors in judgment that destroyed his once-promising career and left his personal life in shambles.

The latest court filings came in response to sentencing recommendations made by both sides last week. The former governor, once widely considered a possible Mitt Romney running mate, will be sentenced on 11 counts Tuesday. His wife faces sentencing on eight counts 20 February.

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Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2014/dec/31/bob-mcdonnell-virginia-governor-leniency-plea

[Suich]

1. I can't wait to see what kind of sentence he gets! n/t

[Fred Sanders]

2. Why is there no minimum penalty of imprisonment for public corruption when there used to be so

many for minor drug possessions, minor thefts?

The 1% even rewrote the laws to possibly get off easy when they get caught in crime red handed, while slamming the door shut on others far less morally culpable.

A 10 year jail sentence and no bail pending appeal would send cold shivers up the spineless backs of many a corrupt politician in America.

Gotta love the principle of general deterrence.

[randys1]

5. you know why

[Cha]

3. KICK for hell yeah no leniency for Bob McDonnell.

[BillZBubb]

4. He should be given the same leniency he granted to poor Virginians...

ZERO. These republicons are always touting how we must be hard on crime and demand personal responsibility, yet the minute they are brought to justice they cry like babies for leniency and mercy. Pathetic.