Virginia ex-first lady to be sentenced for corruption

[Eugene]

Source: Reuters

Virginia ex-first lady to be sentenced for corruption

RICHMOND, Va. Fri Feb 20, 2015 6:06am EST

(Reuters) - Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell faces sentencing on Friday for taking bribes from a businessman, with federal prosecutors seeking 18 months in prison and defense lawyers asking for a community service sentence.

McDonnell was convicted in September along with her estranged husband, former Governor Robert McDonnell, for accepting $177,000 in sweetheart loans and lavish gifts from entrepreneur Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's main product, an anti-inflammatory.

The five-week trial in U.S. District Court laid bare rifts in the couple's marriage and tarnished Virginia's reputation for clean government.

In court documents, prosecutors said Maureen McDonnell was unlikely ever again to have influence over an elected official but that an 18-month prison term would serve as a deterrent.

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/02/20/us-usa-virginia-mcdonnell-idUSKBN0LO0VU20150220

[HappyMe]

1. I hope she gets the 18 months.

[In_The_Wind]

2. +1

[bigwillq]

3. I hope she gets the max (nt)

[Eugene]

4. Maureen McDonnell sentenced to 12 months, 1 day

Source: Richmond Times-Dispatch

Maureen McDonnell sentenced to 12 months, 1 day

Posted: Friday, February 20, 2015 12:27 pm
BY BILL McKELWAY AND GRAHAM MOOMAW Richmond Times-Dispatch

Former first lady Maureen McDonnell was sentenced to 12 months and 1 day Friday on federal corruption charges. Judge James R. Spencer also ordered two years supervised probation and allowed her to remain free pending appeal.

(This has been a breaking news update. Earlier updates are posted below)

Former first lady Maureen McDonnell testified today at her sentencing hearing that she let future prosecution witness and "serpent" Jonnie Williams Sr. into the Executive Mansion, "and the venom from that snake has poisoned my marriage, has poisoned my family and has poisoned the commonwealth that I love."

McDonnell, making her first extensive public statement about the case, took the stand and choked up as she thanked Judge James R. Spencer for “showing mercy to my husband.”

[font size=1]-snip-[/font]

Read more: http://www.richmond.com/news/virginia/government-politics/article_b2edb38e-af38-5c98-9144-d5b263c5b604.html