With much of the world transfixed on some tyrannical British infant, Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell used the distraction to do a bit of a mea culpa over a donor scandal that continues to swirl around his administration.
McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, repaid more than $124,000 to Johnnie R. Williams Sr., a major political benefactor and the chief executive of nutritional supplement maker Star Scientific Inc. Williams had loaned $50,000 to Maureen McDonnell, and $70,000 to a real estate firm Bob McDonnell owns with his sister.
The governor also issued a strongly worded apology. “I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens,” he said in a statement released over Twitter. “I want you to know I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your sacred trust and confidence.”
The relationship between the McDonnells and Star Scientific, though, remains the subject of federal and state investigations over numerous gifts Virginia’s first family has received from Williams and Star Scientific. At the heart of the scandal, first reported by The Washington Post, is Maureen McDonnell’s endorsement of a dietary supplement following Williams paying for a $15,000 catering bill at the McDonnells’ daughter’s wedding, which was held in June 2011 at the governor’s mansion. As the Post reports, there have also been several other lavish gifts:
Since that time, more gifts have come to light, including a $15,000 Bergdorf Goodman shopping spree for the first lady and a $6,500 Rolex for the governor. Williams also provided the McDonnells with $145,000 in gifts or loans; in addition to the original $15,000 wedding payment, there was $70,000 to a real estate corporation owned by the governor and his sister; $50,000 to Maureen McDonnell and $10,000 to another McDonnell daughter before her wedding this year.
The $70,000 payment to the real estate company and $50,000 payment to Maureen McDonnell are being repaid as loans with interest, according to the governor’s statement today.
