Former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell Spared from Prison Sentence
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The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday tossed out the bribery conviction of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell, who was found guilty of accepting thousands of dollars in cash and gifts.
The decision rejected the federal government’s view of how broadly federal bribery laws can reach.
The ruling makes it harder for federal prosecutors to bring corruption cases against state and local officials. And it may complicate the government’s efforts to try federal office holders for corruption, including Sen. Robert Menendez, a New Jersey Democrat accused of doing political favors in exchange for contributions and other gifts from a Florida eye doctor.
The ruling also spares McDonnell from having to report to prison to serve a two-year sentence. Prosecutors could seek to put McDonnell on trial again but with different jury instructions on the definition of corruption.
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