Robert McDowell
A US federal judge sentenced former Virginia governor Robert McDonnell to two years in prison Tuesday for accepting lavish gifts and loans from a businessman in exchange for political favors.
Prosecutors had sought to put McDonnell behind bars for more than a decade, while his defense team had pressed for community service and no prison time.
McDonnell, 60, told a scrum of reporters after the sentencing that he was grateful for an outpouring of public support he had received during the trial.
“I don’t believe that I would be as much able to handle the news of today without the love of so many people around the state,” the former governor said after the sentence was read out.
US District Judge James Spencer ordered McDonnell to report to prison on February 9.
“A price must be paid,” Spencer was cited by The Washington Post as saying.
“Unlike Pontius Pilate, I can’t wash my hands of it all. A meaningful sentence must be imposed.”
McDonnell, a one-time Republican rising star, had been tipped to become Mitt Romney’s running mate in the 2012 elections.
Prosecutors originally had sought between 10 and 12 years for McDonnell, the judge however set a maximum sentence of eight years in prison.
He was convicted of taking loans, clothing and private plane trips and other gifts from businessman Jonnie Williams.
In turn, McDonnell provided Williams political favors to help his dietary supplement business.
McDonnell has apologized for his own “bad judgment” and said he regrets accepting the gifts and sweetheart loans, but insisted he paid all the money back with interest and broke no laws.
McDonnell’s wife Maureen, who was also found guilty of corruption charges in the case, is due for her sentencing hearing on February 20.
The trial laid bare the couple’s alleged marital problems, with McDonnell’s defense team arguing he could not have conspired with his wife because the two were barely on speaking terms, and that she had a “crush” on William
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