After five
weeks of testimony and three days of jury deliberation, former Virginia
Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen were found guilty on multiple
charges related to corruption and influence peddling.
A federal Jury found Bob McDonnell guilty on 11 of 13 counts. They found Maureen guilty on nine of 13.
"When public officials turn to financial gain for official actions, we have little choice but to prosecute the case," U.S. Attorney Dana Boente told reporters Thursday. Boente's office led the prosecution of the McDonnells.
The case hinged on Bonete's team being able to show the former First Couple accepted $165,000 worth of loans and gifts from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for helping the company advance.
Stewart Harris, a professor at the Appalachian School of Law, told News 5 that accepting any kind of gift while in office is a dangerous action.
"You really need to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. When you're an elected official you should be above suspicion," said Harris.
To top it all off, Harris believes this is the end of McDonnell's political career, but the saga is far from over.
"It's possible, not perhaps likely, but possible he could be completely exonerated on appeal," said Harris. "He might be granted a second trial. He might be acquitted. These sort of things can happen."
McDonnell's attorney told reporters multiple times that they would be appealing the conviction in the days ahead.
" With so many convictions, it's difficult for me to think all of these will be overturned. All of these are serious to varying degrees," said Harris.
A federal Jury found Bob McDonnell guilty on 11 of 13 counts. They found Maureen guilty on nine of 13.
"When public officials turn to financial gain for official actions, we have little choice but to prosecute the case," U.S. Attorney Dana Boente told reporters Thursday. Boente's office led the prosecution of the McDonnells.
The case hinged on Bonete's team being able to show the former First Couple accepted $165,000 worth of loans and gifts from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for helping the company advance.
Stewart Harris, a professor at the Appalachian School of Law, told News 5 that accepting any kind of gift while in office is a dangerous action.
"You really need to avoid even the appearance of impropriety. When you're an elected official you should be above suspicion," said Harris.
To top it all off, Harris believes this is the end of McDonnell's political career, but the saga is far from over.
"It's possible, not perhaps likely, but possible he could be completely exonerated on appeal," said Harris. "He might be granted a second trial. He might be acquitted. These sort of things can happen."
McDonnell's attorney told reporters multiple times that they would be appealing the conviction in the days ahead.
" With so many convictions, it's difficult for me to think all of these will be overturned. All of these are serious to varying degrees," said Harris.
