Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell hugs two of his
daughters after being sentenced at a federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., on
Tuesday. PHOTO: ASSOCIATED PRESS
By
VALERIE BAUERLEIN
Updated Jan. 6, 2015 3:24 p.m. ET
RICHMOND, Va.—Former Gov. Bob McDonnell was sentenced
to two years in federal prison Tuesday afternoon after being found guilty of
accepting lavish gifts and loans in exchange for helping a wealthy donor’s
business.
Mr. McDonnell, a one-time GOP presidential hopeful,
had faced up to 12 years in prison for his September conviction on 11 counts,
including conspiracy and fraud, related to his relationship with the former
chief executive of a dietary-supplement business.
“I stand before you as a heart-broken and humble man,”
Mr. McDonnell said, moments before District Court Judge James R. Spencer
announced his sentence. “I hold myself fully accountable for my
actions as governor.”
Mr. McDonnell had asked to be sentenced to three years
of community service with a faith-based charity. A federal probation report
recommended a sentence of 10 to 12 years, based on sentencing guidelines.
A dozen character witnesses, including former Virginia
Gov. Douglas Wilder, a Democrat, said Tuesday that Mr. McDonnell was an honest
man who had already lost his reputation and any political future.
“If Bob McDonnell were to get 50 years, he wouldn’t be
any more punished,” Mr. Wilder said.
Judge Spencer said it was important, though, to impose
a meaningful sentence. “The facts of this case cannot be ignored, by the
investigators, the prosecutors, the jury or this court for that matter,” he
said. “A price must be paid and that is some level of punishment.”
Mr. McDonnell’s lawyers asked that he be allowed to
serve his prison term in Petersburg, nearest to his home. He is expected to
report to prison on Feb. 9, though it isn’t clear whether that date might change
as his lawyers have said he is appealing his case to the U.S. Court of Appeals
for the Fourth Circuit.
Write to Valerie Bauerlein at valerie.bauerlein@wsj.com
RECENT SENTENCES FOR OFFICIALS CONVICTED OF PUBLIC
CORRUPTION
- Former Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich, convicted on counts including honest-services fraud, extortion, and conspiracy to commit bribery; sentenced to 168 months
- Former
Louisiana Rep. William Jefferson, convicted on counts including
honest-services fraud, bribery, and racketeering; sentenced to 156 months
- Former
Ill. Gov. George Ryan, convicted on racketeering and tax charges;
sentenced to 78 months
- Former
Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, convicted of racketeering conspiracy involving
extortion, bribery and fraud; sentenced to 336 months
- Former
New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, convicted of honest-services wire fraud and
federal-program bribery; sentenced to 120 months
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