Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell

Former Virginia
Gov. Bob McDonnell

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife are due in federal court for a hearing on whether to dismiss most of the corruption charges filed against them.

Judge James R. Spencer will also hear arguments Monday on whether McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, should receive separate trials. Prosecutors oppose separating the cases.

The Republican former governor and his wife are charged in a 14-count indictment with accepting more than $165,000 from Jonnie Williams, the former CEO of dietary supplements maker Star Scientific Inc., in exchange for helping promote his products. They have pleaded not guilty. A jury trial that is expected to last at least five weeks is scheduled to begin in late July.