Robert F. McDonnell and his wife charged with illegally accepting gifts

Former Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell and his wife Maureen were charged Tuesday with illegally accepting gifts, luxury vacations and large loans from Jonnie R. Williams, a wealthy Richmond-area businessman who sought special treatment from state government.

Authorities alleged that Robert F. McDonnell and his wife received gifts from Jonnie R. Williams again and again, lodging near constant requests for money, clothes, trips, golf accessories and private plane rides.

In exchange, authorities alleged that the McDonnells worked in concert to lend the prestige of the governorship to Jonnie Williams’ struggling company, a small former cigarette manufacturer that now sells dietary supplements.

The two were charged with 14 felony counts, including wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, obtaining property under color of their official office and conspiring to the do the same.

They were also charged with making false statements to a federal credit union.

Robert McDonnell was also charged with making a false statement to a financial institution, and Maureen McDonnell was charged with obstructing the investigation.

A lawyer for Robert McDonnell released a statement from the former governor denying that he has broken the law.