Bob and Maureen McDonnell
(Associated Press photo)
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ Federal prosecutors are opposing a request from former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, for a new trial on public corruption charges. Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday with U.S. District Judge James Spencer, saying the request is “without merit.” Spencer presided over the nearly six-week trial that ended Sept. 4 when the jury convicted Bob McDonnell on 11 counts and his wife on nine. Following the trial, the McDonnells asked to be acquitted or granted a new trial because they contended prosecutors failed to prove they performed any “official acts” for former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams. The McDonnells were convicted of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s dietary supplements.
