Former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, former First Lady of Virginia Maureen G. McDonnell, have been convicted on charges of participating in a public corruption scheme. The couple, both 60 and of Glen Allen, Virginia, was found guilty of one count of conspiracy to commit honest-services wire fraud and one count of conspiracy to obtain property under color of official right.
As part of the scheme, the McDonnells solicited and obtained payments, loans, gifts and other things of value from Star Scientific, a Virginia-based corporation, and its chief executive officer, Jonnie R. Williams Sr.. The total amount of gifts and loans received by the McDonnells was over $170,000.
The McDonnells used the former governor’s official position to benefit themselves and their family members. In return for the gifts and loans, Governor McDonnell put the weight of the governor’s mansion behind the businessman’s corporate interests.
The convictions come after a federal jury delivered guilty verdicts against the McDonnells in a case that spanned several years. The trial revealed that the couple had abused the Commonwealth’s highest office to benefit their personal interests.
Assistant Attorney General Leslie R. Caldwell of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division stated that the McDonnells’ actions were a betrayal of the public trust. "When public officials turn to financial gain in exchange for official acts, we have no choice but to prosecute them," Caldwell said.
The investigation and prosecution of the McDonnells was a collaborative effort between the FBI, Virginia State Police, and the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation. The FBI’s Special Agent in Charge, Adam S. Lee, stated that public corruption is the agency’s highest criminal investigative priority.
Robert McDonnell was convicted of 11 of 13 counts, including three counts of honest-services wire fraud and six counts of obtaining property under color of official right. Maureen McDonnell was convicted of 9 of 13 counts, including two counts of honest-services wire fraud and four counts of obtaining property under color of official right. She was also convicted of one count of obstruction of an official proceeding.
Related Federal Cases
- FLOOD FRAUD SCHEME EXPOSED · West Virginia
- Chadwick Lusk Admits to $230K Crib Block Kickback Scheme · West Virginia
- WV Highways Scheme: Nichols Faces Tax Charge · South Carolina
- Steven Hull Pleads Guilty to $70K Fraud Scheme · West Virginia
- Phyllis Doty Indicted in $12K School Fraud Scheme · West Virginia
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Public CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic CorruptionPublic Corruption