McDonnell testimony: No special favors for Williams

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http://hamptonroads.com/2014/08/mcdonnell-testimony-no-special-favors-williams



Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, center, arrives at federal court with his attorneys, John Brownlee, left, and Henry Asbill, in Richmond on Monday, Aug. 18, 2014, to begin presenting McDonnell's defense.

McDonnell testimony: No special favors for Williams
By Bill Sizemore
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 21, 2014

RICHMOND

Beginning his high-stakes testimony in the federal corruption trial that could send him and his wife to prison, former Gov. Bob McDonnell said Wednesday the actions he took on behalf of businessman Jonnie Williams were "mere basic, routine acts of government" similar to those he performed for hundreds if not thousands of others.

McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, are charged with soliciting more than $177,000 in off-the-books loans, gifts and luxury vacations from Williams in exchange for promoting his diet supplement business from the Governor's Mansion.

McDonnell took the stand on the 18th day of the trial after a former consultant to his wife's staff testified about once suggesting that the first lady undergo therapy or even move out of the Governor's Mansion to deal with her anxiety and mercurial mood swings.

The former governor will resume testifying this morning to talk about difficulties in the couple's marriage - a cornerstone of their defense against the multiple felony charges they face.