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Robert F. McDonnell sentenced to two years in prison Robert F. McDonnell sentenced to two years in prison
(35 minutes later)
A federal judge sentenced former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday — a term far lower than what prosecutors had sought and one that means the popular politician will be free before his 63rd birthday.A federal judge sentenced former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday — a term far lower than what prosecutors had sought and one that means the popular politician will be free before his 63rd birthday.
U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer said he was moved by the outpouring of support for McDonnell, though he could not ignore the jury’s verdict. U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer said he was moved by the outpouring of support for McDonnell, the governor’s military service, and the facts of the case, though he could not ignore the jury’s verdict.
“A price must be paid,” Spencer said. “Unlike Pontius Pilate, I can’t wash my hands of it all. A meaningful sentence must be imposed.”“A price must be paid,” Spencer said. “Unlike Pontius Pilate, I can’t wash my hands of it all. A meaningful sentence must be imposed.”
The penalty is a win for defense attorneys, who had asked that the former governor be sentenced to mere community service even as prosecutors initially advocated for a prison term stretching longer than a decade. The U.S. probation office had determined that federal sentencing guidelines called for a term of incarceration between 10 years and a month and 12 years and seven months. The penalty is a win for defense attorneys, who had asked that the former governor be sentenced to mere community service even as prosecutors initially advocated for a prison term stretching longer than a decade. They later asked that McDonnell spend 6 and a half years behind bars.
Spencer ordered the former governor to report to prison on Feb. 9. While McDonnell’s family members cried softly, the former governor stood with no visible reaction as the sentence was delivered. Afterward, he gave long hugs to several of his children and a quick peck on the cheek to his wife.
Though McDonnell (R) will certainly appeal his conviction, the sentence brings to a close a stunning narrative of politics, greed and family drama that reached a climax in September when McDonnell, 60, and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of public corruption. A jury found unanimously that the couple used the governor’s office to help a wealthy dietary supplement company executive advance his business interests, and in exchange, the businessman gave the McDonnells $177,000 in loans, gifts and luxury goods. The U.S. probation office had determined that federal sentencing guidelines called for a term of incarceration between 10 years and a month and 12 years and seven months. Spencer on Tuesday determined a range of 6 and a half years to eight years and a month was more appropriate, but said even that “would be ridiculous, under these facts.”
The businessman, Jonnie R. Williams Sr., testified against the McDonnells at trial in exchange for immunity from prosecution. Maureen McDonnell is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 20. Spencer ordered the former governor to report to prison on Feb. 9. He did not immediately rule on a request from McDonnell to keep his freedom even longer, until all his appeals are adjudicated.
Prosecutors had urged Spencer to craft a sentence that took into consideration the “enormous power” of the governor’s office and the extent to which McDonnell abused that power. For his part, McDonnell said that he had allowed his life as governor to become “out of balance,” with too much focus on politics and governing and not enough on his family. He asked that Spencer show him mercy, but also made a plea on behalf of his wife, asking the judge, “whatever mercy you might have, you grant it first to” Maureen.
They argued in court papers that McDonnell sought bribes from Williams repeatedly, using his office to “quench his appetite for the things of value to which he believed he was ‘entitled.’ ” They said that McDonnell, a former state attorney general, was “especially qualified to understand the gravity of his crimes,” and during his trial, he seemed to blame others for his wrongdoing, including his own wife. Maureen McDonnell was also convicted in the case. She is scheduled to be sentenced February 20.
Prosecutors asked Spencer to send a message with the penalty he imposed, arguing that anything less than 10 years and a day in prison “could easily lead other public officials to believe that the potential benefits of corruption outweigh the costs.” “I stand before you a heartbroken and humbled man,” McDonnell told Spencer. “I’m now 60 years old. All of the additional days that the lord allows me. . .I dedicate them to the service of others.”
Though McDonnell (R) will certainly appeal his conviction, the sentence brings to a close a stunning narrative of politics, greed and family drama that reached a climax in September when McDonnell and his wife were convicted of public corruption. A jury found unanimously that the couple used the governor’s office to help a wealthy dietary supplement company executive advance his business interests, and in exchange, the businessman gave the McDonnells $177,000 in loans, gifts and luxury goods.
The businessman, Jonnie R. Williams Sr., testified against the McDonnells at trial in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
Prosecutors had urged Spencer to craft a sentence that took into consideration the “enormous power” of the governor’s office and the extent to which McDonnell abused that power. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Dry said in court Tuesday that McDonnell’s misdeeds were “crimes of choice, not necessity,” and that he had “shown no true remorse in this case for these crimes.”
“These crimes are unprecedented in Virginia’s 226 year history,” Dry said.
For their part, defense attorneys dismissed the notion that McDonnell blamed others and highlighted the good he had done in the military, in public office and even in his personal life. In filings accompanied by more than 440 letters from supporters, defense attorneys argued that McDonnell’s family had suffered enough through a trial that put their personal failings on public display. The McDonnells’ ordeal alone, defense attorneys said, was enough to deter any public official from making similar decisions.For their part, defense attorneys dismissed the notion that McDonnell blamed others and highlighted the good he had done in the military, in public office and even in his personal life. In filings accompanied by more than 440 letters from supporters, defense attorneys argued that McDonnell’s family had suffered enough through a trial that put their personal failings on public display. The McDonnells’ ordeal alone, defense attorneys said, was enough to deter any public official from making similar decisions.
Defense attorneys argued that several charitable organizations could benefit from McDonnell’s skills and urged the judge to allow him to work for one of them instead of imposing the “extreme and unjustified” prison term requested by prosecutors. That penalty, they said, would allow McDonnell “to spend the next three years of his life helping the poor and the needy and repaying the debt to society that he has incurred here.”Defense attorneys argued that several charitable organizations could benefit from McDonnell’s skills and urged the judge to allow him to work for one of them instead of imposing the “extreme and unjustified” prison term requested by prosecutors. That penalty, they said, would allow McDonnell “to spend the next three years of his life helping the poor and the needy and repaying the debt to society that he has incurred here.”
“He has suffered personal, professional, and financial consequences that will haunt him for the rest of his life,” defense attorneys wrote. “Sending Mr. McDonnell to prison at all, much less for the length of time the Government requests, would only exacerbate the punishment being suffered by the McDonnell family with no corresponding public policy benefit.”“He has suffered personal, professional, and financial consequences that will haunt him for the rest of his life,” defense attorneys wrote. “Sending Mr. McDonnell to prison at all, much less for the length of time the Government requests, would only exacerbate the punishment being suffered by the McDonnell family with no corresponding public policy benefit.”
McDonnell was in the final year of his four-year term when news broke of his financial entanglements with Williams in 2013. At the time, he had just ushered a bipartisan plan to improve state roads through the Virginia General Assembly, the state’s economy was brightening and his public approval numbers were sky-high.McDonnell was in the final year of his four-year term when news broke of his financial entanglements with Williams in 2013. At the time, he had just ushered a bipartisan plan to improve state roads through the Virginia General Assembly, the state’s economy was brightening and his public approval numbers were sky-high.
But much of the last months of his tenure were consumed with dealing with the scandal, as new details of the gifts and loans he solicited from Williams emerged. He apologized for his actions in July 2013, but maintained that he had committed no crime.But much of the last months of his tenure were consumed with dealing with the scandal, as new details of the gifts and loans he solicited from Williams emerged. He apologized for his actions in July 2013, but maintained that he had committed no crime.
McDonnell and his wife were indicted jointly in January 2014, 10 days after he left office and Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) was sworn in as his successor.McDonnell and his wife were indicted jointly in January 2014, 10 days after he left office and Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) was sworn in as his successor.
McDonnell had been elected governor in 2009 by more than 17 points. Before statewide office, he served as a state delegate from the Virginia Beach area for 14 years.McDonnell had been elected governor in 2009 by more than 17 points. Before statewide office, he served as a state delegate from the Virginia Beach area for 14 years.
Rachel Weiner contributed to this report.Rachel Weiner contributed to this report.
Read more: Tuesday’s sentencing liveblog The gifts McDonnell received from Jonnie Williams Timeline: The McDonnell corruption trial He said, he said: Bob McDonnell vs. Jonnie WilliamsRead more: Tuesday’s sentencing liveblog The gifts McDonnell received from Jonnie Williams Timeline: The McDonnell corruption trial He said, he said: Bob McDonnell vs. Jonnie Williams