Another falling star.
The corruption trial of ex-Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife is now underway. If you're having trouble keeping track of which disgraced political officeholders are involved in what, this would be the
Star Scientific scandal, in which the McDonnells (short version) are accused of taking gifts and cash from the dietary supplement business's owner in exchange for favors to the company.
Maureen McDonnell's defense is already distancing her from her husband, claiming her only involvement with Williams was that she had an obsessive crush on him:
Maureen McDonnell was not a wife scheming with her governor husband so they could enrich themselves; she was instead a woman craving attention after her own marriage broke down, her defense attorney said in court Tuesday. [...]
Dietary supplement company executive Jonnie R. Williams Sr. took advantage of her genuine interest in so-called “nutraceuticals,” and of her interest in his attention, Burck said. [...]
Burck said one staffer would testify Maureen McDonnell considered Williams her ” favorite playmate,” and some would view their relationship as inappropriate. They exchanged 1,200 texts and phone calls during the period of the indictment, and Maureen grew protective and jealous of their connection, Burck said.
Uh-huh. I'm not sure if this is a defense or the first pitch for the inevitable TV movie.