RICHMOND, Va. — Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell was sentenced Friday to one year and 1 day in prison for her role in a bribery scheme that destroyed her husband's political career.
U.S. District Judge James Spencer sentenced McDonnell on eight public corruption counts. The couple had been found guilty of doing favors for a nutritional supplements executive in exchange for $165,000 in gifts and loans. Prosecutors had asked for an 18-month sentence for the former first lady. Defense attorneys requested probation and 4,000 hours of community service.
Fighting back tears, McDonnell apologized to her family and Virginians and said she takes full responsibility.
“I would ask in your sentence today that you consider the punishment I've already received,” she said. “My marriage is broken, my family is hurting and my reputation is in shatters.”
But the judge called the case “puzzling and bizarre,” saying there appeared to be two Maureen McDonnells — the loving mother and devoted wife and the first lady “who belittled and terrorized employees” at the Executive Mansion.
“How can a person become so bedazzled by material possessions that she can no longer see the difference between what's appropriate and inappropriate,” Spencer said.
McDonnell can remain free on bond while she appeals the convictions, the judge said.
Her husband, former Gov. Bob McDonnell, convicted of 11 counts, was sentenced to two years in prison last month. He is free on bond while he appeals the convictions to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which will hear arguments May 12.
A jury in September found the McDonnells guilty of taking more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's nutritional supplements — primarily the tobacco-derived anti-inflammatory Anatabloc. Among the gifts were about $20,000 in designer accessories and clothing for Maureen McDonnell and a $6,500 Rolex watch she gave her husband for Christmas.
Bob McDonnell, who was widely considered a possible Mitt Romney running mate before the scandal broke, testified during the six-week trial. His wife did not.
Maureen McDonnell is believed to be the only modern-day first lady convicted on felony charges arising from her occupancy in an executive mansion, according to scholars and research conducted by The Associated Press.
