(Associated Press photo)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell has made her final written plea to a federal appeals court reviewing her public corruption convictions. In a brief filed Thursday evening with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, McDonnell’s lawyers restated their claims that the convictions were based on an overly broad interpretation of federal bribery law. Prosecutors have said in court filings that there is clearly enough evidence to support the convictions. A jury in September found former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife guilty of doing favors for a wealthy businessman in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. The Richmond-based appeals court heard arguments in Bob McDonnell’s case last month but has not yet scheduled a hearing in Maureen McDonnell’s case.
