Federal prosecutors have charged former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, with taking $120,000 in undocumented loans and numerous gifts. The alleged corruption stemmed from his relationship with the owner of a dietary supplements business and helping it promote products to state officials. Bob McDonnell Indicted The 43-page indictment includes page after page of alleged requests by the McDonnells, Maureen in particular, for help in paying for vacations. And their daughter’s wedding, nearly $20,000 in designer dresses, a Rolex watch inscribed “71st Governor of Virginia” and numerous golf outings. The couple also allegedly asked for private trips on the company’s jet and, once, to use a $200,000 Ferrari. Bob McDonnell has denied any wrongdoing. The lengthy investigation embarrassed state officials and may have contributed to the election of Democrat Terry McAuliffe as governor last year. It also dimmed hopes that McDonnell, considered a rising star in the Republican party, could be a contender for the party’s 2016 presidential nomination. The McDonnells were charged with conspiracy, wire fraud and other crimes. Maureen McDonnell was charged with obstruction for allegedly lying to investigators. The couple are also accused of attempting to conceal the loans and gifts. In a televised statement with his family, McDonnell denied the charges, saying he regretted accepting the gifts, which “all have been returned or repaid with interest.” “I did nothing illegal,” he said. At the center of the drama were supplements that Star Scientific, a former cigarette manufacturer, said could help treat inflammation in diseases such as Alzheimer’s and MS. Officials expressed skepticism, saying there were no data to support the claims, which the company could not make in ads because its pills were not approved by the FDA. Prosecutors allege that in return for the gifts, the McDonnells attended or sponsored functions to introduce Star Scientific’s products to state officials and the public. They also allegedly attempted to arrange scientific research at prestigious state universities that might back up the company’s claims about their products.
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Bob McDonnell, Wife Charged with Corruption; Ex-Virginia Governor Denies Guilt
