Attorneys representing former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) on Wednesday asked a judge to push back his initial court appearance because one of his defense lawyers is currently out of the country, according to the Washington Post.
McDonnell was charged along with his wife on Tuesday with illegally accepting gifts from a political donor.
McDonnell’s lawyers filed a detailed motion asking that the court appearance, currently scheduled for Friday, be pushed back to Jan. 31 because lawyer Henry Asbill is “outside the United States for his wife’s birthday” and that it would be very difficult for him to return by Friday.
Prosecutors allege that McDonnell and his wife accepted thousands of dollars in gifts from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams and gave his company favorable treatment from the state government. McDonnell admitted that he accepted the gifts, but maintains that he did nothing illegal.
