A federal court ruled Monday that Virginia ex-Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) may remain free while he appeals his convictions for federal corruption, the Associated Press reported.
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decided McDonnell’s appeal raised a substantial question of law or fact that could warrant either reversal or a new trial, according to the AP. Earlier this month, U.S. District Judge James Spencer had denied the ex-governor’s request to remain free pending his appeal.
McDonnell had been scheduled to report to prison on Feb. 9 to serve out his two-year sentence. He and his wife Maureen were found guilty in September of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from a wealthy Virginia businessman in exchange for promoting his dietary supplements company.
The Virginia State Bar on Friday suspended McDonnell’s law license, effective Jan. 29. The bar cited McDonnell’s 11 felony convictions in its decision.
