WJLA-TV, Washington, August 19, 2013
There’s a new, critical phase in the gifts scandal involving Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife. The McDonnells’ attorneys tried on Monday to convince prosecutors that the first couple should not be charged.
Authorities have been investigating whether the two acted improperly in their dealings with the company, Star Scientific. The governor is accused of agreeing to aid the company, while accepting more than $100,000 in gifts and money from its chief executive….
Because of these additional gifts, University of Mary Washington political science professor Stephen Farnsworth says prosecutors may use McDonnell as an example: “Whether or not the governor’s behavior was illegal is a question for the lawyers. But for ordinary citizens in Virginia, what they’ve seen is a very tawdry story.”
Farnsworth continues: “One of the key factors is not necessarily punishing this particular individual, but also sending a message to other elected officials about what kind of behavior is not going to be tolerated.”
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WRVA-AM, Jimmy Barrett Show
Richmond, August 20, 2013
