The Governor, his wife and the Ferrari — careful what you wish for.

[n2doc]

It makes the Chris Christie bridge scandal look like a simple spat among politicians. We are talking about the 14-count federal indictment filed Tuesday (Jan. 21, 2014) against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen McDonnell, charging them with wire fraud, “conspiracy to obtain property under color of official right,” “false statements,” (lying), all of this basically what the government says was a ploy to get lots of perks, jewelry, trips and clothing, among other things, from the then-chief executive of a dietary supplement firm.

So why is a car column telling you all this? Because one of the key perks involved a weekend’s use of a Ferrari. Not a Corvette, or a Maserati or even an Aston Martin, but a Ferrari, a real honest-to-God Ferrari, and that gives us license to parade before the readers of Topdown a tale of official greed, ethics gone awry – my kingdom for a Rolex, or, for that matter, a Ferrari.

The basics of the story are that while McDonnell was the Republican governor of Virginia (January 2010 to January 2014) he and wife Maureen bent over backwards to help promote the fortunes of Star Scientific and its chief executive, named in the indictment only as “JW” (since identified in numerous press accounts as Jonnie R. Williams Sr.) Williams has not been charged, and is cooperating with the government. The indictment says Williams provided the financially strapped McDonnells with loans, expensive outings to exclusive golf courses, catering costs for their daughter’s wedding, a Rolex watch for the Governor and other benefits. (More details in this Daily Beast post.)

In December 2009, the indictment says, Maureen McDonnell told one of her husband’s staffers that she needed a designer dress for the upcoming inauguration and that Williams said he would buy it for her. The staff member – clearly somebody who had an inkling of the sordid future of this mess – advised her not to do this. She emailed him thusly: “I need to talk to you about Inaugural clothing budget. I need answers and Bob is screaming about the thousands I’m charging up in credit card debt. We are broke, have an unconscionable amount of credit card debt already, and this Inaugural is killing us!! I need answers and I need help, and I need to get this done.” That kind of gives you the tone. Given the staffer’s warning, however, Maureen decided to hold off on the dress. For the moment.


http://blog.sfgate.com/topdown/2014/01/24/the-governor-his-wife-and-the-ferrari-careful-what-you-wish-for/#19974101=0

[Cha]

1. Yes, McDonnells gifts were disgusting and obnoxious but

the Closing of the GWBridge for 4 days could have resulted in death. And, loss of livelihood.. not to mention the poor kids who were stuck on school buses late for school and who knows what else. It might come out in some lawsuits.

It's not a contest which is worse.. the GWB is something entirely different.. like apples and the proverbial oranges.

Vindictive republicon assholes VS Greedy republicon assholes.

[onethatcares]

2. amazed, just amazed I am.

that they weren't "living within their means" as they would so gladly tell the lower class to.

[madokie]

3. Stupid is as stupid does

These republicons are out of control. They have made a mockery of our democracy and it looks as if its going to take us getting in the streets with pitchforks and tar pots to change it.

On a side note thanks for the link. I got lost in looking at the new 2015 ford mustang. Man o man what I'd give to own one of those.