The original content of Democracy Now! Headlines appears under the Creative
Commons BY-NC-ND 3.0 License (United States). For more, including their other
shows and media, visit www.democracynow.org.
January 7, 2015

Fmr. Virginia Gov. McDonnell Sentenced to 2-Year Prison Term in Corruption Case 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


 
In Virginia, former Republican Gov. Bob Mc Donnell has been sentenced to
two years in prison following his conviction last year on corruption
charges. Mc Donnell and his wife were found guilty of receiving more
than $140,000 in exchange for promoting the donor's products and
providing other favors. Mc Donnell's two-year prison sentence is far
less than the minimum of 10 years recommended by the federal probation
office. Speaking outside the courtroom, Mc Donnell said he regrets his
actions — but then announced he would appeal.

Bob Mc Donnell: "As I said in court, I am a fallen human being. I've
made mistakes in my life. I always tried to put the best interests of
the people first as governor, but I have failed at times. And some of
the judgments that I have made during the course of my governorship have
hurt myself, my family and my beloved people of Virginia. And for that,
I am deeply, deeply sorry. I also want to say that I disagree with the
verdict that was rendered by the jury in this case, and that we intend
to file our appeal to the United States 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
either later today or in the morning."

Mc Donnell was initially offered a plea bargain, but opted instead to go
to trial. His defense strategy largely entailed placing the blame on his
wife Maureen, who as a nonpublic official could not have been convicted
of corruption charges on her own. Maureen Mc Donnell will be sentenced
next month. Bob Mc Donnell has been ordered to report to prison by
February 9.

 

.