Former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell speaks on April 27 after the Supreme Court heard his appeal. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

The Supreme Court voted unanimously to vacate the corruption conviction of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.

If you don’t recall the circus from a few years back, McDonnell and his wife were indicted on a slew of corruption and fraud charges, stemming from a series of gifts given to them by a businessman peddling dietary supplements. Prosecutors said the lavish presents—expensive handbags, a rolex, an Oscar de la Renta dress, loans, expensive vacations—were both inappropriate and illegal, as Jonnie R. Williams was seeking state support for his product.

Bob McDonnell was found guilty on 11 corruption and fraud counts, while Maureen McDonnell was found guilty on eight corruption counts and one count of obstruction of justice. He was sentenced to two years in prison, a stunning fall from grace for a popular Republican politician with his sights on the White House.

But McDonnell vowed to fight the conviction, arguing that anything he did for Williams was routine help for a Virginia business rather than an exercise of official power. And the Supreme Court sided with him in an 8-0 decision that the jury instructions weren’t clear enough about what constitutes an “official act.”

“Setting up a meeting, calling another public official, or hosting an event does not, standing alone, qualify as an ‘official act,’” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. “There is no doubt that this case is distasteful; it may be worse than that. But our concern is not with tawdry tales of Ferraris, Rolexes, and ball gowns. It is instead with the broader legal implications of the Government’s boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute. A more limited interpretation of the term “official act” leaves ample room for prosecuting corruption, while comporting with the text of the statute and the precedent of this Court.”

Analysts say the ruling will make it harder to bring future corruption charges against politicians. It is unclear if prosecutors will attempt to retry McDonnell.