RICHMOND — After calling its final rebuttal witness Thursday morning, the prosecution rested its case in the federal corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen.
FBI special agent Kathryn Weber testified that, according to official schedules, out of 721 total nights in the period of the investigation, from April 11, 2011 to March 31, 2013, Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell stayed together at the Executive Mansion on 489 of the nights and were together outside the mansion on 155 of the nights.
The defense has tried to argue that the McDonnells’ marriage was in such disarray that the two were barely on speaking terms and, therefore, could not have conspired to extract $170,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for helping Mr. Williams promote the nutritional supplement company.
There were also 100 instances of “family time” on the schedules over the 22 months and 41 dinners, lunches or similar scheduled appointments for Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell themselves.
John Brownlee, an attorney for Mr. McDonnell, pointed out a handful of occasions Ms. Weber had identified the two as staying overnight in the mansion where Mr. McDonnell was scheduled to arrive late at night.
Given an opportunity to question Ms. Weber, William Burck, an attorney for Mrs. McDonnell, clearly stated “No questions, your honor,” eliciting laughter from the crowd that has witnessed sparks of impatience from Judge James R. Spencer in recent days as the trial winds toward a close.
SEE ALSO: Tales of marital dysfunction key to Bob McDonnell defense strategy
Judge Spencer sent the jury home and said the court would reconvene at 3 p.m. so he could go over jury instructions with the lawyers. He said the jury should return at 9:30 a.m. and that he hopes to get in the closing arguments Friday.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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