U.Va. president seeks leniency for McDonnell

[mahatmakanejeeves]

U.Va. president seeks leniency for McDonnell

Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015 by By Morgan White, Capital News Service

RICHMOND – University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan is among the more than 400 letter writers urging a federal judge to be lenient Tuesday in sentencing former Gov. Bob McDonnell for corruption.

Writing as a citizen, not in her official capacity, Sullivan told U.S. District Judge James Spencer that McDonnell was always ethical in his dealings with U.Va. “I hope that you will consider a lenient sentence,” the letter said.

I thought the story might be from Associated Press, so I went to the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Their article came from the Charlottesville Daily Progress.

In note to federal judge, Sullivan asks for leniency for Bob McDonnell

Posted: Friday, January 2, 2015 9:13 pm
By ​K Burnell Evans
@kburnellevans

University of Virginia President Teresa A. Sullivan wrote the federal judge presiding over Bob McDonnell’s case in October asking for leniency for the former governor.

The two had a good relationship, shared cell phone numbers and met one-on-one to discuss official business, Sullivan wrote Judge James Spencer on Oct. 11. McDonnell never pressured her for help with Star Scientific, the company at the heart of McDonnell’s corruption scandal.

“I hope that these observations are helpful to you as you consider sentencing, and I hope that you will consider a lenient sentence,” Sullivan stated, at the close of a five-paragraph note she said was not an official statement of the university.

The letter is one of more than 400 sent to Spencer in support of McDonnell ahead of his sentencing Tuesday on charges stemming from the $177,000 in luxury goods, loans and vacations he and his wife received from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie R. Williams Sr. The company has since been renamed Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Inc. ... Former Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger and Regent University Chancellor Pat Robertson also wrote Spencer on McDonnell’s behalf.
....

K. Burnell Evans is the Albemarle County reporter for The Daily Progress. Contact her at [phone], [e-mail] or @KBurnellEvans on Twitter.

This was the top comment when I posted:

Gordon Koerner · Top Commenter · Hellertown

Another case of the wealthy and elite protecting one another. Sullivan please post the clemency letters you sent for the undereducated and poor who needed clemency.

To read the article and the comments at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, go here:

In note to federal judge, UVa's Sullivan asks for leniency for Bob McDonnell

[The River]

1. It's her Job

University presidents are fundraisers first and foremost. She has to cater to the wishes of the conservative monied alumni who do look to protect "their own kind". She is welcome to her opinion but she shouldn't be using the prestige of her job to kiss political ass.

As a (former) C-ville resident of nearly 40 years I can honestly say that beneath the "All American City" awards and "Best Places" to live lists, it's a good old fashioned "Company Town". What the University wants, the University gets.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

2. I used to live there too, on and off.

I was greatly distressed when the Sears on Main Street closed. UVa uses the building for something these days; I don't know what.

Happy New Year.