Gov. Bob McDonnell
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Lawyers for former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell will be allowed to file a longer-than-usual brief about his upcoming sentencing on federal corruption charges. U.S. District Judge James Spencer on Wednesday gave McDonnell permission to submit up to 50 pages instead of the maximum of 30 allowed by Richmond federal court rules. McDonnell’s attorneys said in court papers that they needed the extra pages because they expect prosecutors to seek an exceptionally long sentence, and they needed to discuss their client’s entire life. Prosecutors opposed the motion. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of illegally trying to help a dietary supplement maker in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. Bob McDonnell’s sentencing is set for Jan. 6. Maureen McDonnell’s sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 20.
