McDonnell to remain free pending appeal
Source: Washington Post
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell will remain free while his appeal is adjudicated — a significant victory for the onetime Republican rising star and a signal that a higher federal court might see some merits in his arguments.
In a two-page order, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit ruled that McDonnell could remain out of prison on his own recognizance because his appeal was “not for the purpose of delay” and raised “a substantial question of law or fact.” Though it is not clear which of McDonnell’s arguments resonated, experts said the higher court must believe at least one of the questions in his case is worth a second look.
“The fact that there’s this decision rightfully gives the governor a ray of hope that his appeal may be successful,” said Jacob Frenkel, a former federal prosecutor who now does white-collar defense work at the Shulman Rogers firm.
McDonnell was sentenced earlier this month to two years in federal prison, and if the appeals court had not intervened, he would have had to report by Feb. 9. He and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty in September of lending the prestige of the governor’s office to Richmond businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for $177,000 in loans, vacations and luxury goods.
Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/mcdonnell-to-remain-free-pending-appeal/2015/01/26/6838ba5c-a58f-11e4-a7c2-03d37af98440_story.html?
= new reply since forum marked as read
Despite “a substantial question of law or fact” about his persecution and trial.
But if a rethug does it......
