Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), who was charged with his wife for illegally accepting gifts from a political donor, on Tuesday said that he regretted his actions but maintained that he didn’t break the law.
“I deeply regret accepting legal gifts and loans from Mr. Williams, all of which have been repaid with interest, and I have apologized for my poor judgment for which I take full responsibility,” he said in a statement sent to reporters by his lawyer. “However, I repeat emphatically that I did nothing illegal for Mr. Williams in exchange for what I believed was his personal generosity and friendship.”
McDonnell said that although he did accept gifts and loans from Jonnie Williams, former CEO of Star Scientific, he did not reward Williams with favorable treatment from the state government.
“I never promised — and Mr. Williams and his company never received — any government benefit of any kind from me or my Administration,” McDonnell said. “We did not violate the law, and I will use every available resource and advocate I have for as long as it takes to fight these false allegations, and to prevail against this unjust overreach of the federal government.”
