Former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were indicted Tuesday for illegally accepting gifts and loans from a political donor.
The charges against the couple were outlined in a document filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia that details how McDonnell and his wife accepted more than $135,000 in gifts and loans, trips, designer clothing and other items from Jonnie Williams Sr., former CEO of Star Scientific.
McDonnell, once touted as a potential presidential contender and running mate for Mitt Romney, has been out of office for only a few days. Virginia voters elected Democrat Terry McAuliffe to succeed McDonnell, who could not run for a consecutive term. McAuliffe was sworn in Jan. 11.
The 14-count indictment, filed Tuesday, charges McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, with a wide array of official corruption. Specifically, the McDonnells were charged with wire fraud, conspiracy and obtaining property under the auspices of their official offices.
Maureen McDonnell was also charged with obstructing the government's investigation. |
