Bob and Maureen McDonnell
(Associated Press photo)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A federal judge has overturned one conviction against former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell but affirmed others corruption verdicts against her and her husband. Judge James R. Spencer rejected the McDonnells’ request for a new trial and their arguments that the guilty verdicts should be overturned. But Spencer did toss a jury’s decision that Maureen McDonnell was guilty of obstructing justice. Spencer said prosecutors did not prove that she attempted to mislead a federal grand jury investigation. Maureen McDonnell is now guilty of eight counts instead of nine. She is set to be sentenced next year. A jury convicted the McDonnells in September of illegally trying to help a dietary supplement maker in exchange of more than $165,000 in gifts and loans.
