On Thursday, a federal jury found former Virginia Republican Gov. Robert F. (Bob) McDonnell and his wife Maureen guilty of public corruption.?Bob McDonnell was convicted on 11?counts of conspiracy, bribery, and extortion, and Maureen McDonnell was convicted on nine counts
U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer set a sentencing hearing for Jan. 6, 2015. Why so far out? Anyhow.
Stinging words from The Washington Post that pretty much say it all:
[The jury] sending a message that they believed the couple sold the office once occupied by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson to a free spending Richmond businessman for golf outings, lavish vacations and $120,000 in sweetheart loans.
The jury consisted of seven men and five women and deliberated for three days after weeks of testimony. McDonnell and his wife face decades in prison, though their sentence could be less than we’d all like to see.
In 2012, McDonnell supported a law that would have required women seeking abortion to undergo a trans-vaginal ultrasound. He backed off amid protests, but convinced legislators to pass a bill that required an abdominal ultrasound.
As McDonnell heard the verdict, he closed his eyes tightly, began shaking, and wept as he buried his face in his hands. Maureen McDonnell was crying, too, though her tears were less visible because her back was to the room.
This is one of those times when being a Christian definitely helps me to be a better person. I am straight up going to have to pray to make sure my glee at this verdict stems from the love of justice rather than the love of seeing this idiot realizing his Karma for his profound hypocrisy and lack of concern for those less fortunate. Oy. Seriously, my giddiness at this verdict is alarming and shameful, even to me. It’s not that I hope he gets “probed” by his friends in prison. I’m not evil! I’ll be happy if he experiences even ONE MINUTE of fear from the mere possibility.
In recent weeks, the disgraced governor has been living with a priest who was convicted in 2002 for having sex in a parking lot with another man.?McDonnell was charged in 2013 and the investigation has been ongoing. To read the background on the case against the McDonnells, view the Washington Post archives on this story.
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Tiffany Willis is the founder and editor-in-chief of Liberal America. An unapologetic member of the Christian Left, she has spent most of her career actively working with ?the least of these? and disadvantaged and oppressed populations. She’s passionate about their struggles. To stay on top of topics she discusses,?like her?Facebook page,?follow her on Twitter, or?connect with her via LinkedIn. She also has?a?grossly neglected personal blog?and a?literary quotes blog that is a labor of love. Find her somewhere and join the discussion.
