Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell found guilty of corruption
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) has been found guilty on 11 corruption charges, a federal jury announced Thursday. McDonnell's wife, Maureen, was found guilty on 8 counts of corruption.
McDonnell is the first governor in state history ever to face criminal corruption charges.
In a 14-count federal indictment, prosecutors alleged that McDonnell and his wife received more than $165,000 in gifts, trips, and loans from a local businessman in exchange for special access, and that they illegally tried to hide the transactions. Prosecutors alleged McDonnell connected the businessman, Jonnie Williams Sr, to stop state officials and let him use the governor's mansion to host a launch party for his company's dubious miracle pill, which was not approved by the FDA.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
McDonnell, who was charged in January, was once considered a potential top-tier 2016 Republican candidate.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jon Terbush is an associate editor at TheWeek.com covering politics, sports, and other things he finds interesting. He has previously written for Talking Points Memo, Raw Story, and Business Insider.
-
Gen Alpha is worried about the futureThe Explainer American children are keeping up with current events, even when the news is upsetting
-
Streaming: Get ready for more blackoutsfeature Disney finally struck a deal to get its television channels back on Google’s YouTube TV streaming service
-
The 8 best action movies of the 21st centurythe week recommends Thrills come in many forms, from assassins and spies to regular people fighting for justice
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstancesSpeed Read
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2Speed Read
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governorSpeed Read
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditionsSpeed Read
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billionSpeed Read
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on recordSpeed Read
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homesSpeed Read
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creatureSpeed Read
