Bob McDonnell's defense in corruption case topped $10 million. But he might not have to pay it alone. By Alissa Skelton and Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
Sep 9, 2016
The cost to defend former Gov. Bob McDonnell against charges of public corruption topped $10 million, a supporter said Friday.
McDonnell’s sister Maureen McDonnell and others held a news conference at his alma mater, Regent University, to discuss Thursday’s announcement that McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, will not be retried on corruption charges.
The couple still have massive bills.
Cheryl McLeskey, who oversees the fund created in 2013 to pay Bob McDonnell’s legal fees, said supporters will hold fundraising events to raise money to pay back his attorneys for their work.
She said she didn’t know how much money has been paid to the lawyers. According to the Virginia Public Access Project, the Restoration Fund, as it’s named, raised $578,335 in contributions since 2013.
“We always believed that he was innocent and, in time, justice prevailed,” said McLeskey, who has been a McDonnell family friend for 30 years.
The former governor and first lady were indicted in January 2014 on allegations they took official action for businessman Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $170,000 in gifts and off-the-books loans.
A federal jury convicted them in September 2014, but they appealed and in June the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that jurors were improperly instructed on federal corruption law, meaning Bob McDonnell may have been wrongly convicted.
Federal prosecutors announced Thursday that the Department of Justice would not attempt a retrial.
In an interview Friday on MSNBC, McDonnell said he felt vindicated by a unanimous Supreme Court decision, but he added: “If I could do it over again, I wouldn’t take one gift.”
He said federal prosecutors presented a “false narrative” at his trial: that he arranged meetings for Williams for money. Setting up meetings for donors is “what people do routinely in the body politic,” he said.
“Sure, there was a conviction, but that’s why the United States Supreme Court checks in.”
McDonnell said he supports changes to state law – prompted by his case – limiting gifts elected officials can accept. But he made a curious comment, however, in the interview, saying gifts from Williams he probably shouldn’t have accepted were “fully legal, fully reported.” McDonnell did not report many of the gifts from Williams because he considered him a “personal friend” and gifts from personal friends aren’t required to be disclosed under state law.
Six of McDonnell’s supporters, including McLeskey, state Del. Jason Miyares, Hampton Roads lawyer Randy Singer, The ESG Cos. President Andrea Kilmer and friend Jeff Ainslie, spoke about how relieved they were to hear the case was dropped.
“We knew Bob McDonnell’s character,” Miyares said. “The Bob McDonnell we have known for 10 to 20 years didn’t reconcile with the presentation that was being made in court and oftentimes the media.”
Kilmer, whose company plans to build an 18,000-seat arena near the Virginia Beach Oceanfront by 2018, said she works closely with Bob McDonnell, who has done work with her company in recent years.
“We are overwhelmed with gratitude to know this ordeal is finally over and he can move on,” Kilmer said.
Moving forward, the former governor’s sister said she hoped her brother would fade into normal everyday life and continue working for nonprofit and corporate clients through their consulting firm.
“Right now he just is needing to exhale and enjoy this moment, his vindication that is so sweet after this multi-year ordeal,” she said.
Many of the six supporters said now is not the time to ask whether McDonnell plans to run for another elected office.
“He has got a lot opportunities in the future,” Kilmer said. “I have no doubt he will continue to serve. That’s a decision he will ultimately have to make.”
McLeskey added that many people have told McDonnell he would make a great president.
“He is such a kind, humble, gracious man, that I truly believe that if he were to run today, he would win,” McLeskey said.
Standing behind McLeskey, McDonnell’s sister cringed and let out a nervous laugh at the suggestion.
Singer, an attorney for former first lady Maureen McDonnell, said he is glad they will be able to move forward with their lives without corruption trials looming.
He said Maureen McDonnell was so happy when she heard the news that she cried.
“There is a difference between misjudgments and doing anything illegal, betraying the trust of the commonwealth,” he said. “They have maintained their innocence throughout. We believe that claim has been vindicated.”
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