US appeals court upholds ex Virginia governor’s corruption convictions

RICHMOND, Va. – A federal appeals court on Tuesday declined to review the case of a former U.S. governor, who was convicted on public corruption charges.

A jury in September found former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of doing favours for a wealthy executive in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans.

The former Republican governor was sentenced to two years in prison. His wife was sentenced to one year and one day. Both have been free while they pursue separate appeals.

In a decision on Tuesday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said it will not revisit McDonnell’s case. McDonnell now plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, his lawyer said.

According to trial testimony, vitamins executive Jonnie Williams showered the McDonnells with lavish gifts — including a Rolex watch for the governor, about $20,000 in designer clothing for the first lady and $15,000 to pay for catering at a daughter’s wedding — while the businessman was seeking state university research on his company’s signature product. He also loaned the McDonnells thousands of dollars on exceptionally favourable terms to help them pay off debt and keep their money-losing Virginia Beach vocation rental properties afloat.

Meanwhile, the McDonnells attended promotional events and hosted a product launch event for Anatabloc, the tobacco-derived anti-inflammatory manufactured by Williams’ company. Bob McDonnell also arranged meetings with administration officials for Williams, who wanted not only the university research but also inclusion of Anatabloc in the state’s employee health plan.

The former governor has insisted that he provided nothing more than routine political courtesies and access to Williams.