Posted on 12/19/2013 12:44:48 PM PST by RKBA Democrat
The Justice Department has reportedly delayed until next year a decision on whether to indict outgoing Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife in connection with a gifts scandal — a decision that came after a face-to-face appeal by the couple’s lawyers.
A report by The Washington Post late Wednesday night said U.S. Attorney Dana Boente told lawyers for the governor and first lady Maureen McDonnell a week ago that he planned to ask a grand jury to return an indictment by this past Monday over allegedly inappropriate help they gave dietary supplement maker Star Scientific after receiving gifts from CEO Jonnie Williams Sr.
McDonnell’s lawyers argued against the indictment in a meeting with Deputy Attorney General James Cole last Thursday, according to the Post, which quotes undisclosed sources familiar with the matter. The newspaper reported that a final decision about whether to press ahead with charges is now not expected before Jan. 2 and could come as late as February.
Gov.-elect Terry McAuliffe, a Democrat, will succeed McDonnell, a Republican, on Jan. 11. The McDonnell lawyers reportedly argued that prosecutors should avoid interfering with the transfer of power and raised questions about a key witness.
Exit polls in last month’s election showed that 53 percent of voters approved of McDonnell’s job performance, but the Star Scientific scandal unquestionably damaged Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.
Cuccinelli donated $18,000 to charity as an offset for gifts he personally took from Williams. The gift scandal made it harder for him to criticize McAuliffe’s own ethics record.
Spokesmen for the McDonnells did not comment for the Post’s report, but the governor — while apologizing broadly — has insisted that Williams received no special treatment for the $165,000 in gifts and loans received by the governor and his family.
A state investigation into McDonnell is also ongoing.
McDonnell was once considered a potential 2016 presidential contender or a possible U.S. attorney general.
No special treatment? Yeah. Riiiiiight.
Looks like toolbooth bob is going to prison.
If he is indicted, he'll have met all of the current qualifications for U.S. Attorney General. IMHO! (Okay! It's a joke! Save the flames and arrows!)
I began my dislike for this guy when he endorsed Romney way before he needed to. UGH! He is another one I blame for Obama.
Wow. Quid Pro Quo in politics. Who’d a thunkit? This is certainly a first.
The next thing that will happen is people will start getting paid to offer up some Quid in order to get some Quo for their clients. We’ll call them “Lobbyists” and we’ll start calling the Quid by a different name: “Campaign Contribution”.
I saw this story yesterday and couldn’t find any background information.
What’s stands out here is that he has an “R” after his name, and the Feds targeted him around the time an even bigger crook, with a “D” after his name, entered the race to be his successor.
I’d be willing to bet that this guy is pure as the driven snow.
“Fix was in. The RNC knew this was coming.”
It wouldn’t surprise. It’s one big, happy, incestuous uniparty. And conservatives need not apply.
Wouldn’t surprise me a bit.
He may be a Pub and may have run the state well (I voted for him) but I hope they hang him high....
I don’t care who you are...if you are on the take and you are guilty, you are scum...may justice be well served.
But need I point out, libtard dims have no moral compass when it comes to stuff like this....
If only it were a joke... the current U.S. Attorney General is far more corrupt but better protected. No flames from me, just wish I could laugh about it with you. Unfortunately, I can no longer see the humor in this scandal-ridden administration.
I am wondering what FEDERAL law is broken when a STATE government official takes STATE donations and then allegedly gives the donor STATE preferential treatment.
Shouldn’t this be a state matter?
“Looks like toolbooth bob is going to prison.”
Can’t come soon enough. He was a crook who abused his office for cash and gifts.
We can’t keep defending people like him just because they have an (R) after their names. Our commitment to smaller government must also be for cleaner government no matter what the short-term political costs are.
It was exactly the same for me. And to think I really liked this guy when he took office. Maybe, if I live long enough, there will be a Republican I don't regret voting for.
I have no longer any interest in VA politics.
“I have no longer any interest in VA politics.”
I’m rapidly losing any interest I had. Richmond is quickly becoming the beltway south. Controlling my voting addiction will be my New Year’s resolution. We’ll see how it works out.
To the best of my understanding, bribery of ANY public official is a federal crime, it doesn’t matter if they are state, county, local, whatever.
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