Former VA Gov. McDonnell found guilty of corruption
The former governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen have both been found guilty on charges of corruption.
NBC News reports that the couple faced 14 different charges for corruption, bribery and fraud. Bob was convicted on 11 of those charges, and Maureen was found guilty on eight. They will be sentenced on Jan. 6, 2015. The focus of the case was the McDonnell's relationship with a vitamin salesperson.
The court discovered that the salesperson, Johnnie Williams, plied the McDonnells with gifts, cash, and trips in an effort to obtain a number of favors. Williams was the CEO of a dietary supplement company.
Williams purchased Maureen $20,000 in clothing, and a specially engraved Rolex for the governor. NBC News reports the jurors at the trial passed the watch around amongst themselves during the trial.
In other instances, Williams arranged luxurious golf junkets for the couple. He would also lend them his Ferrari and allow them to stay at a property of his on a mountain lake. NBC News notes that a photo of Bob behind the steering wheel of the Ferrari was a key piece of evidence.
Williams recieved immunity from prosecution because of his willingness to testify against the McDonnell's and cooperate with the government's investigation.
The McDonnells used a rather unique defense to protect themselves from the corruption charges. NBC News reports that the McDonnells argued their marriage was in such a poor state and the relationship between them so strained, there was no way they could have actively coordinated any sort of fraud or corruption.
The corruption first came to light after the McDonnell's fired their private chef in 2012, alleging that he stole food, according to NBC News. The chef then provided the authorities with documents that showed Williams had payed for the catering at the McDonnells' daughter's wedding.
