Virginia’s ex-first lady sentenced to prison for graft

RICHMOND: Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell was sentenced on Friday to 12 months and one day in prison for her federal corruption conviction for taking bribes from a businessman.
McDonnell, 60, was also sentenced by US District Judge James Spencer to two years of probation following release from prison.
McDonnell, who lawyers for her estranged husband, former Republican covernor Robert McDonnell, blamed for triggering the corruption scandal, tearfully apologised during the three-hour sentencing hearing in a crowded courtroom.
“I was the one who let the serpent into the mansion, and the venom from the serpent poisoned my marriage, my family and the Commonwealth I love,” said McDonnell, who never testified during the five-week trial that brought down her and her husband. “I would do anything to turn back the clock and live those two years with the knowledge I have now.”
McDonnell and her husband were convicted in September for accepting $177,000 in sweetheart loans and lavish gifts from Star Scientific Inc chief executive Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s main product, the anti-inflammatory Anatabloc.