First sentence!
This is very sad. McDonnell is an attorney and knows the law. It appears that he chose to flaunt it for personal gain. He handed his proud state back to the Dems.
/johnny
It sounds like the charges against McDonnell are well-founded, although he didn’t help himself by being a Republican.
But THIS quote from the article has me rolling on the floor laughing:
“Today’s charges represent the Justice Department’s continued commitment to rooting out public corruption at all levels of government,” Acting Assistant Attorney General Raman said in a news release. “Ensuring that elected officials uphold the public’s trust is one of our most critical responsibilities.”
Yeah. Right. Commitment. All levels of government. Sure.
Anyone who thinks we’re gonna see any justice come out of this corrupt, banana-republic “just us” department has been snorting a mountain of some really bad stuff.
There is a special election today in Virginia in which control of the state senate is up for grabs. The Feds couldn’t wait one more day? Of course not. Guess who wins control of the senate.
This should be a good cautionary Yale for any other politicians thinking those seemingly innocuous gifts will stay beneath the radar screen. I liked Gov. McDonnell, but this is a self-inflicted wound. He damned well knew better.
I posted McDonnell’s email response on the other thread, and here it is again:
Friends,
Earlier today former Governor Bob McDonnell released a statement regarding the false indictment built upon discredited witnesses that was filed today in federal court.
Please take time to read below
The Restoration Fund
“My fellow Virginians, earlier today federal prosecutors notified my attorneys that they have filed criminal charges against me and my wife Maureen, alleging that we violated federal law by accepting gifts and loans from Jonnie Williams, the former CEO of Star Scientific. I deeply regret accepting legal gifts and loans from Mr. Williams, all of which have been repaid with interest, and I have apologized for my poor judgment for which I take full responsibility. However, I repeat emphatically that I did nothing illegal for Mr. Williams in exchange for what I believed was his personal generosity and friendship. I never promised - and Mr. Williams and his company never received - any government benefit of any kind from me or my Administration. We did not violate the law, and I will use every available resource and advocate I have for as long as it takes to fight these false allegations, and to prevail against this unjust overreach of the federal government.”
Robert F. McDonnell
Former Governor of Virginia
Intended strictly as a political prosecution, just like NJ and Wisconsin. Initiated straight out of the corrupted DOJ.
The only purpose of this is to drag it across the headlines for the next year in order to deliver Virginia as a newly minted blue-state in 2014 and eventually 2016.
My wife keeps telling me to stop cussing. I can’t begin to tell you how angry and disappointed I am in how this. Trying not to judge but it’s hard not to see this as justified. What bothers me the most is he and his wife were so weak-minded to get themselves into this situation to begin with. What an idiot! If he was so broke he had to accept this money he should have found a real job and stayed out of politics.
Am I the only one who sees the Clintons behind this? McDonnell was a P or VP contender in 2016 (as was Christie). To me, it appears they are clearing the field. Sadly, McD gave just enough smoke to burn an overzealous fire. They installed McAuliffe as governor, then got rid of McD. It feels so familiar (Clinton politics), but it could just be me...
We cannot ignore the fact that the governor is being persecuted by a Democratic administration. In almost all cases that fact means that is all political.
Well then.