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| McDonnell to remain free pending appeal | McDonnell to remain free pending appeal |
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| Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell will remain free while his corruption case is on appeal, a court ruled Monday. | Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell will remain free while his corruption case is on appeal, a court ruled Monday. |
| The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit found that McDonnell is not a flight risk. The issues he has raised on appeal, the court said, raise a “substantial question of law or fact” that could lead to a reversal of the case if decided in his favor. | The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit found that McDonnell is not a flight risk. The issues he has raised on appeal, the court said, raise a “substantial question of law or fact” that could lead to a reversal of the case if decided in his favor. |
| If the court had denied the request, McDonnell would have begun serving his two-year sentence on Feb. 9. | If the court had denied the request, McDonnell would have begun serving his two-year sentence on Feb. 9. |
| McDonnell (R) and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty in September of lending the prestige of the governor’s office to Richmond businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for $177,000 in loans, vacations and luxury goods. Maureen McDonnell is set to be sentenced Feb. 20. | McDonnell (R) and his wife, Maureen, were found guilty in September of lending the prestige of the governor’s office to Richmond businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for $177,000 in loans, vacations and luxury goods. Maureen McDonnell is set to be sentenced Feb. 20. |
| In a statement released by a spokesman, McDonnell said he was grateful for the court’s ruling and would focus on his family during the appeals process. | |
| “I plan to spend time with my new granddaughter who was born this month, attend my sons’ graduation ceremonies, and embrace family time with my daughters,” McDonnell said in the statement. “I want to thank my family, friends and legal team for their tireless support and unwavering belief in my innocence.” | |
| In his request to remain out of prison while his case is appealed, McDonnell made the same arguments that he has previously. He asserted that he performed no “official” acts for Williams — a point prosecutors were required to prove — and claimed jurors were wrongly instructed on the matter. He also alleged that the trial judge did not question prospective jurors enough about pre-trial publicity in the case. | In his request to remain out of prison while his case is appealed, McDonnell made the same arguments that he has previously. He asserted that he performed no “official” acts for Williams — a point prosecutors were required to prove — and claimed jurors were wrongly instructed on the matter. He also alleged that the trial judge did not question prospective jurors enough about pre-trial publicity in the case. |
| The former governor’s request was supported by six former Virginia attorneys general. The group, representing both Republicans and Democrats, told the appeals court that the conviction, if allowed to stand, “would wreak havoc upon the public life of Virginia.” | The former governor’s request was supported by six former Virginia attorneys general. The group, representing both Republicans and Democrats, told the appeals court that the conviction, if allowed to stand, “would wreak havoc upon the public life of Virginia.” |
| Although the appeals court sided with McDonnell, it also set a quick timeline for when it would consider the case. Both sides must submit their written arguments on specific dates in March and April, and oral arguments are scheduled for May 12 in Richmond. | Although the appeals court sided with McDonnell, it also set a quick timeline for when it would consider the case. Both sides must submit their written arguments on specific dates in March and April, and oral arguments are scheduled for May 12 in Richmond. |
| Rosalind S. Helderman contributed to this report. |