01-27-2014, 02:30 PM
(01-23-2014, 08:47 AM)Cynical Ninja Wrote: We have the same shit in the UK.
Government ministers award private contracts to companies and it transpires oh! They just happened to be a shareholder in those companies! What a startling coincidence!
That's very similar to the allegations in the McDonnell case. They pleaded "not guilty" on Friday.
They sought loans, accepted payments for their daughter's wedding, enjoyed expense-paid vacations, etc...from the owner of a medical research lab with state contracts pending or in work. The couple was reportedly in deep financial debt while McDonnell was the governor.
Word on Capitol Hill, via press from "unnamed sources" there, is that the McDonnells refused a plea deal that would have spared them the possibility of jail time.
The couple released statements essentially claiming that none of the $120k they received affected the governorship or the awarding of contracts/funds to the donor's company. Instead, it was all private and, regrettably, a result of Mrs. McDonnell's poor judgment in pursuing a friendship with the donor and his family - nothing illegal.
So, they remain charged with 14 fraud-related counts.
The federal judge warned both sets of lawyers not to discuss the case publicly; he wants it tried in the courtroom, not the public/press. (I expect to see a lot of "leaks" from "anonymous insiders close to the case" as this plays out.)