McDonnells guilty — now what?
Bob McDonnell was found guilty of all 11 of the corruption charges; Maureen was found guilty of 8 corruption charges, plus one charge of obstruction of justice for trying to make it look like the dresses that Jonnie Williams were “loans.”...
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McDonnell trial — Just what is an “official action”?
Judge James Spencer resolved the most bitterly fought jury instruction issue in favor of the prosecution Tuesday when he ruled that the “official actions” for which Bob could be punished can include things that a Governor customarily does as Governor, not just passing bills or spending government money....
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McDonnell trial — the defense rests. Now what?
Another day of “the marriage was in a shambles” as the McDonnells’ daughter Jeanine testified about how the public displays of affection amounted to a front, like “flipping a switch” when they went out in public. The evidence is about over, and closing arguments are expected on Friday....
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McDonnell trial — Bob’s cross-examination begins
Cross examination will continue Tuesday, and defense evidence will probably wrap up on Wednesday. Look for the case to be ready to argue to the jury by Friday....
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Bob McDonnell testifies that his marriage was a mess; will it work?
Bob McDonnell gave an emotional description of a marriage that was falling apart, so much so that he would stay in his office until late at night to avoid having to deal with his wife, so (he claims) he didn’t know what she was doing with Jonnie Williams. He claimed not to know of the shopping trips and the gifts and the trips to sell Anatabloc....
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McDonnell trial — the Defense Begins
As the defense began Monday, Bob’s political aides and Cabinet secretaries testified about how he was honest, a Boy Scout, and how Maureen was a diva, difficult to work with and impossible to work for. The defense theory is clear — Bob was working his butt off for the people of Virginia, but neither he nor the staff had any control over Maureen. ...
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McDonnell trial, day 14 — the prosecution rests
Gov’t – Jonnie spent $177K on the McDonnells, including a $36,000 family vacation on Cape Cod in 2012. Defense – Bob says thanks for the vacation, Jonnie, but I don’t seem to be able to get anyone to help you at UVA or VCU....
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McDonnell trial, Day 13 — the false statement charges look tenuous
The prosecution is about done, and get ready for “300 witnesses, and no one who can say that there was a quid pro quo? 3.5 million documents and you didn’t find anything that showed that the Governor actually DID something in return for the loans?” ...
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McDonnell trial, Day 12 — debts, lies, no videotape
A series of relatively short witnesses hung some more ornaments on the prosecutor’s tree, but there were no big bombshell moments....
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McDonnell trial — Looking back at the first two weeks
After two weeks of testimony, the McDonnell mess looks tawdry and sleazy, but the door seems to be open to the defense of “Bob McDonnell didn’t do anything for Star Scientific that he and other Virginia governors haven’t done for hundreds of other Virginia companies, so no crime was committed.”...
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