Bob McDonnell’s former chef has accused the Republican governor of using state assets for personal and political purposes in what would be a violation of a Virginia state law, The Washington Post reported online Monday.
The ex-chef, Todd Schneider, is facing allegations of embezzling food from the Virginia governor mansion when he served as executive chef there from 2010 and 2012. As part of his defense, Schneider alleged in a court document filed Monday that he was forced by McDonnell to cater personal and political events at the governor’s mansion and was often employed as the governor’s “personal shopper,” the Post reported. Schneider’s lawyers claim he was never compensated for the additional work. A 2008 state law bars the use of public assets for personal and political reasons that are unrelated to the government’s interest.
The legal team is also arguing that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the GOP nominee in the state’s gubernatorial race this year, did not immediately recuse himself from the case due to a conflict of interest. Cuccinelli ultimately argued earlier this year that he should recuse himself because his client, McDonnell, was part of the defense’s strategy. Schneider’s lawyers additionally contend that Cuccinelli did not act on information regarding a top donor financing the 2011 wedding for McDonnell’s daughter. The donor, Star Scientific CEO Jonnie R. Williams Sr., has been under federal investigation for his relationship with McDonnell.
Read the Post’s entire report here.
