McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted in September of taking $177,000 in gifts and loans from businessman Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting one of his company’s dietary supplements.
Advertisement
Former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell (R) on Thursday asked a federal appeals court to let him stay out of prison while he tries to convince the Supreme Court to throw out his public corruption convictions, arguing that his case still raises “substantial” questions despite his mounting losses throughout the legal process. McDonnell was sentenced to two years in prison.
Shortly after a federal appeals court said on Tuesday that it wouldn’t revisit the case, McDonnell attorney Henry Asbill declined to say whether his client will have to report to prison. The only remaining route to appeal for McDonnell is the U.S. Supreme Court.
In Thursday’s filing, lawyers argued that McDonnell would suffer “irreparable harm” if he serves the bulk of his prison term and his convictions are ultimately overturned by the Supreme Court.
The high court hears only about 75 or 80 of the roughly 10,000 petitions it receives each session, according to information on the court’s Web site. His wife, ex-Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell, still awaits her appeal of corruption charges for her role in accepting bribes from Williams.
“On the petition for rehearing before the panel, no judge voted in favor of rehearing, and panel rehearing is thus denied”, the appeal ruling reads. Both have been free while they pursue separate appeals. Bob McDonnell also arranged meetings with administration officials for Williams, who wanted not only the university research but also inclusion of Anatabloc in the state’s employee health plan. He can still appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Advertisement
The former Republican governor was sentenced to two years in prison.
