Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) announced on Tuesday that he had repaid — with interest — the loans given to him and his family by the CEO of an embattled dietary supplements company.
All told, McDonnell returned $124,115.17 to the CEO, Jonnie Williams, whose relationship with McDonnell is currently the subject of a federal investigation. The repayments cover a 2011 loan to McDonnell’s wife Maureen for $52,278.17, and two separate loans totaling $71,837 made in 2012 to a real estate business owned by the governor and his sister.
“I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens,” McDonnell said in a statement. “I want you to know that I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your trust and confidence.”
So the loans are repaid. But here’s what isn’t: the gifts. You know, the $6,500 rolex watch, the $15,000 shopping trip in New York City, the wedding catering bills, the private plane rides, and the lake house vacation stays. Some of those gifts were disclosed, others surfaced in media reports.
A private spokesperson for McDonnell would not tell TPM on Tuesday whether McDonnell was still considering returning the gifts to Williams.
“[McDonnell] chose to announce he had repaid the loans today, ” Rich Galen, the spokesperson, told TPM in an email. “[The] Statement stands on its own.”
