Former VA Governor, Wife Found Guilty on Multiple Counts of Corruption

Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen McDonnell were found guilty today on multiple counts of corruption; the governor on eleven counts of corruption, his wife on nine counts of conspiracy and obstruction of justice.

News of the guilty verdict has poured in on Twitter:

Bob McDonnell guilty of 11 counts–all corruption counts.

— Rosalind Helderman (@PostRoz) September 4, 2014

Maureen McDonnell guilty on 8 corruption counts and obstruction of justice.

— Rosalind Helderman (@PostRoz) September 4, 2014

. @KellyO “sweeping guilty verdict” in McDonnell trial, says Gov and wife were crying in court room

— Luke Russert (@LukeRussert) September 4, 2014

breaking: jury finds Bob & Maureen McDonnell guilty of honest services wire fraud

— Julie Carey (@JulieCareyNBC) September 4, 2014

Sad. Solution: Don’t be corrupt & shady. RT @charliespiering: “The McDonnell family is sobbing in the courtroom” http://t.co/hIw8wAUIk8

— Guy Benson (@guypbenson) September 4, 2014

The McDonnells were on trial in a corruption case in which they were charged with engaging in shady deals with a Virginia businessman in exchange for lavish gifts. One of the more bizarre parts of the trial is when McDonnell’s wife’s lawyer claimed she had developed a crush on the businessman, Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams, in question. Williams denied there was any affair nor was he aware of her interest in him.

Update- 3:51 pm: McDonnell attorney Hank Asbill reacted by saying, “I’m obviously very disappointed. We will appeal.”

[image via screengrab]

— —

Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!