Virginia Public Radio

The legislative panel formed to examine and help improve Virginia’s mental health system spent hours learning foundational facts about mental illnesses, treatments, how the state’s system of care works, and how it is funded.  One consensus that seems to be emerging among the joint subcommittee’s members is that there’s a disparity in services across the Commonwealth. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, while the multi-year study continues, panel members hope to endorse some recommendations for the next General Assembly session.  

More than 200,000 Virginians —most without insurance— could access healthcare services under an executive plan announced today by Governor McAuliffe.  The 10-step program is called “A Healthy Virginia” and does not require General Assembly approval.  And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the governor aims to secure as many federal dollars as possible—instead of funding the entire plan through the state budget.

Steve Helber/AP via NPR

There was no media briefing and no victory lap by the prosecutors who conducted the trial…and few comments by either Bob or Maureen McDonnell-who are now convicted felons. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, after three days of deliberations, the jury handed down convictions on the majority of the charges against the two-leaving many asking, “What just happened?”. . .

AP Photo/Steve Helber via NPR

Day 2 of the jury deliberations in the Bob and Maureen McDonnell corruption trial has the media, onlookers, and, of course, the McDonnell family camped out or nearby awaiting a verdict. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports.

The jury continues its deliberations today in the federal trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. The two defendants face 14 counts involving corruption, obstruction of justice, and lying on financial documents. Much of the disagreement over whether the former first couple broke the law by accepting gifts and loans from ex-Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams—while supporting his business—comes from differing interpretations of what some believe are murky ethics and corruption laws. Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan explains.

Former Governor Bob McDonnell and son leave the courthouse.

The case of the “United States of America versus Robert and Maureen McDonnell” now rests in the hands of the jury.  U.S. District Judge James Spencer spent all morning presenting his instructions to the 12 jurors—including the definitions of each charge and the elements of the complex federal laws that would be essential for conviction beyond a reasonable doubt.  The proceedings began with the defense formally objecting to some of the jury instructions that echoed statements made by prosecutors.

The jury will not be sequestered. Until a verdict is rendered, the jury will deliberate each day until the early evening, then each juror will go home and begin again the next morning.  They were instructed to not read, listen to, or watch any news, discuss the case with anyone, or do research on the Internet.

Fracking has produced massive amounts of natural gas in West Virginia.  North Carolina and wants some.  Now, Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas have announced they would team up with AGL and Richmond-based Dominion to make that possible — building a pipeline through Virginia.  The news provoked an outcry from the environmental community and grassroots groups as Sandy Hausman reports.

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell leaves the courthouse with his children.

Day 24 of the corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, began with the prosecution’s rebuttal witness, FBI Special Agent Kathryn Weber.

Since the former first lady was not a public official under the law, prosecutors must prove that the former first couple engaged in a conspiracy to win convictions on some charges.

After days of testimony by McDonnell and other witnesses that the couple did not communicate well, that was a huge challenge.

Weber compared 22 relevant months of schedules and said the couple spent about 90 percent of those nights together. But she conceded that “together” meant an overnight stay under the same roof. The defense pointed out numerous dates when McDonnell flew in from out-of-state and arrived home late at night.

Executive Mansion logs showed that Jonnie Williams visited Maureen twice when he was gone. Judge James Spencer then dismissed the jurors so that he could finalize jury instructions.  Legal analyst Todd Stone said those include standards of evidence.

“The government has to prove each and every element of the offense beyond a reasonable doubt. And all the jurors have to unanimously agree in order for there to be a finding of guilt.”

With his children embracing him for support, McDonnell briefly left the courthouse. In response to reporters, he said he wished he had done many things differently in his 60 years of life.

“I’m a human being, and like every one of you, we all do things we wish we did a little differently. It’s just the way life is.”

He admitted his fallibility—then was asked if he forgave Jonnie Williams. The former governor replied, “Sure.”

Hear the report from Anne Marie Morgan:

Jeanine McDonnell Zubowsky

Former Governor Bob McDonnell’s defense team rested their case on Day 23 of his federal corruption trial …and then lawyers for Maureen McDonnell took a turn calling witnesses for the former first lady. As Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, their testimonies seemed to bolster defense assertions that ex-Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams pushed his gifts onto people who never asked for them…and that the former first couple’s marriage was troubled for years before they ever reached the Executive Mansion.

Week five and day 21 of the Bob and Maureen McDonnell corruption trial has neither the prosecutors nor the judge handling the former governor with care. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, Monday’s testimony had onlookers grabbing a virtual bag of popcorn and a soft drink waiting for prosecutors to really hone in on the corruption charges.

On day 20 of the former first couple’s federal corruption trial and day 3 of testimony from former Governor Bob McDonnell, jurors were able to follow the money. The last two days were focused on McDonnell’s troubled marriage and how it conflicted with his job as governor.  The former governor testified about the loans and relationship he had with ex-Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. Tommie McNeil reports.

Testimony by former governor Bob McDonnell during his federal corruption trial consisted of his description of the breakdown of his marriage and pleading to his wife and co-defendant, Maureen, about her overspending. The morning was pretty solemn—and at one point, there was some much-needed comic relief when he was asked about his own purchases.  Tommie McNeil reports.

Former Governor Bob McDonnell has now taken the stand in his corruption trial.

Secretary of Agriculture Todd Haymore

Prosecutors in the case turned the tables on another of the defense witnesses … and momentarily backed the McDonnells’ attorneys up against a wall.  But as Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, subsequent testimony from a cabinet member and other associates MAY have created some balance between the opposing cases in the middle of this third week of the trial.

Political Analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth

Day 16 of the federal corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife opened with Judge James Spencer thanking the jurors for being there—and saying that he had prayed for each of them last night. That was a subtle reference to the loss of three jurors since the proceedings began. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the defense continued with its witnesses and meticulously focused on McDonnell’s sister and real estate business partner—who, like his wife, is also named “Maureen.”

Janet Vestal Kelly, the former Secretary of the Commonwealth

Day 15 of the federal corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, began with the replacement of a juror who had to go out-of-state for a family emergency. That leaves just one alternate juror in the event that any others are excused. And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, this week the defense is calling the witnesses—in hopes of casting doubt on the prosecution’s case.

Governor McAuliffe speaks to reporters as budget committee members look on.

“Not surprised—but still disappointing.” That statement from one of Virginia’s budget-writing committee leaders is the consensus of the others who heard a dismal financial report from Governor McAuliffe.  As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, they nevertheless applaud the Governor for his leadership… and have already begun figuring out ways to address the projected shortfall.

Nanette Bolt leaves the courthouse after testifying.

The prosecution is close to wrapping up its arguments in the federal trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. This time it focused primarily on how the former governor allegedly lied on mortgage refinance applications to cover up the loans given to him and the former first lady by ex-Star Scientific CEO, Jonnie Williams. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports from the federal courthouse in Richmond.

Sec. Bill Hazel

Governor McAuliffe has signed two executive orders to create a new framework within his administration to potentially help more children succeed.  The goal is to develop, implement, and prioritize a policy agenda related to health, poverty, safety, education, nutrition, and housing.   And as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the plan is to coordinate and strengthen public services on all levels —with a special focus on at-risk children in high-poverty communities.

Day five of the corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, kicked off with the former first lady’s attorney cross-examining the prosecution’s key witness, ex-Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the strategy seemed to include attributing most business dealings associated with the first family to Maureen and away from her husband.

Day four of the corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, picked up where it left off the previous day—with the prosecution’s star witness, Jonnie Williams. As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, the former Star Scientific CEO detailed the gifts and loans he provided to the former first family—and the point where he knew he believed he was crossing ethical and legal lines.

Jerri Fulkerson at the courthouse in Richmond.

Day three in the trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, opened up with testimony from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams’ assistant, Jerri Fulkerson.
As Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil reports, she testified that not only did the former first couple accept lavish gifts from her boss, but their children also received favors.

Maureen McDonnell arrives at the courthouse.

The second day of the federal corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, began with instructions to the jury that they must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt by the evidence—and not by leaks or media accounts. Prosecutor Jessica Aber recounted the indictment’s theory that the McDonnells exchanged official acts for gifts and loans from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the bombshells hit when the couple’s defense attorneys spoke.

Jury selection began today in the federal corruption trial of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. Prosecutors allege that the former first couple promoted Star Scientific’s products in exchange for gifts and mortgage loans from the company’s former CEO, Jonnie Williams. But as Virginia Public Radio’s Anne Marie Morgan reports, the first step on Monday was to try and choose a fair and impartial jury.

With people still adjusting to their insurance policies and premiums under the Affordable Care Act, now might not be the ideal time to tell Virginians that sales taxes associated with some health procedures, prescriptions, and even Band Aids could be passed on to them.  But that was one of the issues the Joint Subcommittee to Evaluate Tax Preferences has examined. Virginia Public Radio’s Tommie McNeil has more.