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The corruption trial of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is scheduled to begin in July, and it will be expensive. Supporters of the Republican politician say it will cost an estimated $1 million in legal fees and other costs. That’s why they set up a Restoration Fund formed as a nonprofit corporation that will operate as a political organization, meaning “persons that contribute more than $200 will be disclosed to the IRS and made public on a regular basis.” One of those people is Mitt Romney.

The Washington Post has the scoop:

Mitt Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, has made a personal donation of $10,000 to former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s legal defense fund, a Romney aide confirmed Tuesday.
…
Ron Kaufman, a longtime friend and adviser to Romney, said in an interview Tuesday that Romney made the donation to show his support for an embattled ally.

“Governor McDonnell became a true and trusted friend and ally through the good times and the bad times in the last campaign,” Kaufman said. “He did a great job running the RGA, he did a great job running Virginia and Mitt has a very special place in his heart for Governor McDonnell. He wanted to help him at a time when he needed help, just as Governor McDonnell would do for Mitt if he needed help.”

The new donation is about as much as the Fund raised last year.

McDonnell and his wife Maureen are accused of illegally accepting gifts from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr. The former governor called the allegations “false” and a lawyer for his wife maintains her innocence.