Supreme Court Vacates McDonnell's Corruption Conviction

Daily Press ^ | 27 June 2013 | Travis Fain

[ExNewsExSpook]

The U.S. Supreme Court vacated former Gov. Bob McDonnell's conviction on corruption charges Monday morning.

The decision was unanimous, according to SCOTUSblog, which is tracking opinion releases this morning in Washington, D.C. The court overturned a decsion that rose out of the U.S. District Court in Richmond, then was affirmed by the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals.

The nut of the government's case against McDonnell, and his wife Maureen, was this: In taking some $177,000 in gifts and loans from businessman Jonnie Williams, and then setting meetings Williams sought to gain legitimacy for a controversial dietary supplement, the McDonnells engaged in a quid-pro-quo that amounted to bribery.

Williams struck an immunity deal and testified that he was trying to buy the McDonnell's help.

[ExNewsExSpook]

Not totally unexpected, given the vagueness of Virginia's public corruption laws at the time--and the fact that past governors (including Tim Kaine) also accepted gifts while in office. What was surprising was SCOTUS's unanimous decision to vacate the conviction, giving some idea of what the justices thought of the original case, the jury's decision and the affirmation of McDonnell's conviction by the 4th Circuit.

Unclear if Obama Justice Department will go ahead with a retrial or simply drop the charges.

[ZULU]

The title says it all. Makes it more difficult to obtain corruption charges against elected officials. They can use this decision to their own personal advantage.

[HokieMom]

The democrats got their way: Virginia went blue that year and a fairly popular governor was taken out of the running for future public office. I hope this ruling changes McDonnell’s future. I’ll vote for him again.

[cuban leaf]

It is difficult to fault unanimous decisions.

[kabar]

I am of two minds on this Is this just another example of two standards of justice, one for the elites and one for the rest of us? Can we expect similar treatment for Hillary?

Or is this a case of justice being applied inappropriately on a partisan basis?

[apillar]

Yep, Court throws out the democrats trumped up charges against McDonnell. Of course the charges served their purpose, they tainted McDonnell and his successor enough for Clinton shill Terry McCauliff (who ironically is now also under federal investigation) to get elected.

[AppyPappy]

Every politician in Va was hoping for an overturn so they wouldn’t have to suffer under the same rules.
This was merely an attempt to damage McConnell so he could run for higher office.

[hemogoblin]

This was a hit job on Bob McDonnell. I think the most he did to "use his influence" is take out a bottle of Williams' supplement and show it around at a cabinet meeting.

That being said, McDonnell tried to play nice with the Dems and this is what he got. And he'd probably do it again.

[Carry me back]

I would vote for him too. This was clearly a political move by the govt.McDonnell would possible have been a strong presidential candidate. He did absolutely nothing wrong. He should receive money from the govt for anytime he spent in jail on these banana republic charges.

[Fantasywriter]

Does McDonnell get to recover court costs?

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

One thing the pubbies are SO STUPID about is the DEMS play HARD BALL Delay knows this as well our side are a buch of P$$&y’s plain and simple, HOWEVER we all know NOW they have AKWAYS been on the same side!!!

[Red Badger]

Hillary, call on line one. Please pick up on the red courtesy phone.......................

[VanShuyten]

This unanimous decision clearing him doesn’t make him any smarter. What he did was foolish even if it wasn’t criminal.

And this does clear the way for corrupt dims to continue what they’re doing. All those Assemblymen in New York State, and all the way up to the governor, will now skate.

[oldbrowser]

Corruption is the primary benefit of elected office. That is why politicians spend millions of dollars to serve the people.

[HokieMom]

I wonder if he’s allowed to sue those who wrongly persecuted him.

[Lisbon1940]

I wish BobMac had taken one for the team

[bert]

Rat poison to exterminate those that brought the charges is required.

[Georgia Girl 2]

Why would you vote for a guy who at the very least showed poor judgement?

[HokieMom]

<< What he did was foolish even if it wasn’t criminal. >>

Agree with you there. Only Democrats are allowed to do what he did without penalty.

[HokieMom]

Perhaps he’s learned. Who among us hasn’t benefited from the wisdom of our previous poor decisions.