Gov. Bob McDonnell
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) _ A doctor has testified that the businessman who is a key figure in former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s corruption trial tried to impress him with an introduction to movie director Steven Spielberg. Dr. George Vetrovec says former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams was trying to interest him in conducting research on the company’s s anti-inflammatory Anatabloc at the time, in October 2011. Vetrovec says that at Williams’ request, former first lady Maureen McDonnell introduced him to Spielberg at a reception for the movie “Lincoln” at the Executive Mansion. Also Tuesday, one juror in the McDonnells’ trial was replaced. U.S. District Judge James Spencer gave no explanation. The McDonnells are charged with accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s supplements. They could face decades in prison.
