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Maureen McDonnell, wife of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell, was sentenced to a year and a day in prison by a federal judge on corruption and fraud charges today.
Last year, the McDonnell’s were accused of and charged with illegally accepting gifts from Jonnie Williams Sr., the former CEO of Star Scientific. Among the charges in the 14-count indictment: wire fraud, false statements, accepting illegal gifts and bribes, and false statements and obstruction of an official proceeding.
The Post reports that U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer “struggled to understand the true nature of the former first lady,” who, during the trial, came off as both “a loving mother and wife” and “a greedy and tyrannical woman who made others miserable.”
Among the copious illegal misgivings conducted by the McDonnell’s that the trial revealed was an email allegedly sent one of her husband’s staffers by Maureen McDonnell. In it, Maureen McDonnell reveals that Williams had agreed to buy her an Oscar de la Renta dress for her husband’s inauguration.
Another part of the indictment revealed a text message allegedly sent from Maureen McDonnell to Williams inviting him and his family to stay at the McDonnell’s beach house in Sandbridge, Va.:
Would you like to stay at our Beach house in Sandbridge for some of the time you’re in Virginia? Pick the best days and take the time with your family on the Ocean. Or You can have a Star Scientific retreat there and have your team come down and join you for a meeting. If one of the weekends works out with his legislative schedule, I’ll bring Bob down and then you’d have some private time to talk somewhere he’s comfortable. Let me know what you think.
Last month, Bob McDonnell was sentenced to two years in a federal prison, but is appealing the ruling. As the Post notes, Maureen McDonnell is “likely to follow suit.”
Before Spencer delivered his sentence, Maureen McDonnell put the blame on Williams, referring to him as a “snake.”
“The venom from that snake has poisoned my marriage, has poisoned my family and has poisoned the commonwealth that I love,” she said. “Your honor, the cry of my heart is that I am sorry.”
