Judge: Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell Must Go To Jail During Appeal

Cailin Young, left,daughter of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, right, listens to her father outside federal court in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McDonnell was sentenced to two years prison and two yea... Cailin Young, left,daughter of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, right, listens to her father outside federal court in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2015. McDonnell was sentenced to two years prison and two years probation in his corruption case. He is to report to prison by Feb. 9. His wife, who was convicted on eight counts of corruption, will be sentenced Feb. 20. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) MORE LESS

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge has denied former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to remain free while he appeals his corruption convictions.

U.S. District Judge James Spencer in Richmond denied the request Tuesday. That means McDonnell could begin his two-year prison sentence Feb. 9.

McDonnell’s lawyers had made the request after his Jan. 6 sentencing. Prosecutors opposed it.

On Monday, McDonnell’s attorneys argued that the appeal could take almost as long as the sentence itself.

They said the appeal would question whether the government’s interpretation of an “official act” is correct. But Spencer said it’s not a “close question” that justifies release pending appeal.

A jury last year found McDonnell and his wife guilty of taking gifts and loans from a vitamin executive in exchange for promoting his products.

Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

11
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. So Bobby McD gets to see the inside of a jail. A little justice in this world.

  2. 2 years for a 10 year recommended sentence. I’m surprised on this new development, and would have expected him to stay out of prison for at least a year during his appeal.

  3. Avatar for sjk sjk says:

    Can he appeal to Jesus?

  4. Wonder if he hopes his prison husband treats his bit…ches better than he treated his wife?

  5. Haha…babypowder-pimpslapped by the hand of justice!

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

5 more replies

Participants

Avatar for system1 Avatar for srfromgr Avatar for marby Avatar for mondfledermaus Avatar for commenterperson Avatar for sniffit Avatar for ronbyers Avatar for benthere Avatar for sjk Avatar for jinmichigan Avatar for edantes

Continue Discussion