The outgoing governor of the mid-Atlantic state of Virginia, Republican Robert McDonnell, is widely reported to be under federal investigation for allegedly accepting gifts and gratuities. The governor has defended his actions as not violating his own sate's ethic laws. While there have been scandals involving U.S. state governors over the years, less than a dozen have been removed from office.
On a prominent hill in Richmond, Virginia, sits the state’s Capitol, built in 1788 - almost as old as the United States itself.
Now, this building is weathering a scandal surrounding its 71st governor, Robert McDonnell. He has been widely reported to have received loans, gifts, and special favors for himself, for his wife, Maureen, and other family members.
Richmond-based investigative reporter Peter Galuszka lists what was allegedly given to the governor and his family - primarily from a Richmond-area businessman named Jonnie Williams, who heads a company called Star Scientific.
He said, "Governor McDonnell has accepted some loans for a real estate corporation that he has with his family. His daughter received $15.000 for a wedding dinner. He has been given a $6,500 Rolex watch. His wife, Maureen McDonnell, has been treated to expensive shopping sprees in New York.”
Legal observers say the Virginia state laws covering the reporting and accounting of personal activities by elected officials are not strong. And, as McDonnell himself points out, these laws only cover him, not other family members.
“Gifts that come to me, I regularly, diligently report them in the “Statement of Economic Interests’ [report] that are done annually," said McDonnell. "But, gifts that come to other family members, under current law, are not reportable.”
McDonnell says he has repaid the nearly $125,000 in loans from Williams and that his daughter has paid back the check Williams sent for wedding expenses. Another McDonnell family member returned money given to her by Williams. The governor also said the Rolex watch was being returned.
However, a federal investigation is reported to be underway of Governor McDonnell and Jonnie Williams for possible legal violations, including the improper exchange of favors. The governor strongly denies any such deal.
He said, “Neither Mr. Williams, nor Star Scientific, has received any special benefit at all from the state, nor has any other company."
At the University of Richmond, political science professor Dan Palazolo says that what statehouse watchers have been waiting for is the results of the federal investigation. And that McDonnell’s political future may hinge on what happens.
“The most important issue upcoming is the FBI report, and whether there is an indictment," Palazolo said. "If there is no indictment, then I think that Bob McDonnell kind of survives. If there is an indictment, then things get dragged on.”
Virginia’s capitol is now preparing for the inauguration in January of Governor McDonnell’s successor, Democrat Terry McAuliffe. McAuliffe has made clear he will seek tighter controls on gifts both to the governor and to family members.
