Posted on 07/23/2013 4:52:31 PM PDT by iowamark
RICHMOND — Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced Tuesday that he and his wife have repaid more than $120,000 to Star Scientific chief executive Jonnie R. Williams Sr. and apologized for the first time for the controversy involving the prominent donor.
“I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens,” McDonnell said in a statement announced via Twitter. “I want you to know that I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your sacred trust and confidence. I hope today’s action is another step toward that end.”
The McDonnells paid back $52,278.17 for a $50,000 loan made to Maureen McDonnell in 2011 and $71,837 for loans made last year to a real estate company the governor owns with his sister. The loans were repaid by the governor, the real estate company or McDonnell’s family, the statement said.
The announcement appears to represent a shift in strategy for McDonnell since he brought on a new lawyer, John Brownlee, former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia and privately funded spokesman. This is the first time McDonnell has apologized or acknowledged that he and his family had embarrassed the state.
Federal and state investigators have been looking into the relationship between the McDonnells and Williams.
The Washington Post reported that the governor and first lady Maureen McDonnell had promoted Star’s dietary supplement around the time that Williams picked up the $15,000 catering tab at June 2011 wedding of one of their daughters.
Since that time, more gifts have come to light, including a $15,000 Bergdorf Goodman shopping spree for the first lady and a $6,500 Rolex for the governor. Williams also provided the McDonnells with $145,000 in gifts or loans...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Oh! Now that he has apologized, everything is A-OK./sarc
I’ll remember this strategy if I ever rob a bank.
Or more specifically, McAuliffe who ought to be in prison. A real greaseball bs artist of the first order. Clintoonite.
Career politicians are destroying us. We need a new party—one that voluntarily commits itself to term limits: ine term in the Senate, 2 terms in the House.
Virginia ping!
The Washington Post went after this guy over and over again in 2009, and he won. It was truly amazing.
I think he’s one of those Pat Robertson types and silly about money, but he’s been a conservative governor and the Commonwealth is strong.
“Career politicians are destroying us. We need a new party—one that voluntarily commits itself to term limits: ine term in the Senate, 2 terms in the House.”
__________
There is a one-term limit for Virginia governor, sort of. They can run again four years after their current term ends... So, they can serve non-consecutive terms.
FWIW, I share your frustration, but I’m not sure term limits are the answer. There’s a good argument that we already have term limits via the election process. If they’re no good, boot ‘em out! (Note to Republican Party: This requires the winning of elections...)
We already have too many opporunists who bail after getting their lifetime benefits and corporate boardroom jobs locked up, but were hit-and-run artists in the public service department... Plus, we’d deny the few good ones we have from staying in office.
The political process is inherently corrupt. In my experience, it takes about 5 months before they discover their true prime directive: To get re-elected. That’s where they get bought. The incumbents have an unfair advantage. It takes a one-termer to say: “No, No, and HELL NO. And don’t ask me again.”
We need a Washington who is willing to do the right thing and then go back to the farm.
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