Key dates in ex-Virginia governor corruption case

The Associated Press

A look at some of the key events in the corruption case against former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. McDonnell served as governor from January 2010 to January 2014.

— March 2009: McDonnell begins using a jet owned by Jonnie Williams, the CEO of dietary supplements maker Star Scientific Inc., in his campaign for governor, according to prosecutors.

— March 8, 2012: Virginia Executive Mansion chef Todd Schneider tells authorities investigating allegations that he stole from the mansion’s kitchen that he has information about wrongdoing by the McDonnells. Schneider’s catering services for a McDonnell daughter’s wedding had been financed by a $15,000 check from Williams, according to prosecutors.

— Feb. 15, 2013: Authorities interview Maureen McDonnell about $50,000 and $15,000 checks from Williams. She had asked for a $50,000 loan because of financial difficulties, prosecutors say.

— June 10, 2013: A state legislator says he was subpoenaed to testify before a grand jury investigating the McDonnells’ relationship with Williams.

— July 16, 2013: A Republican strategist hired by McDonnell to help assemble a legal defense team confirms that the governor has hired former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee.

— July 19, 2013: McDonnell supporters announce the creation of a nonprofit corporation to accept donations for his legal defense.

— July 23, 2013: McDonnell says he has repaid two loans from Williams totaling more than $120,000, apologizes for embarrassing Virginians but insists he has broken no laws.

— July 30, 2013: McDonnell says he is returning several gifts from Williams, including a $6,500 Rolex watch that Maureen McDonnell allegedly requested as her Christmas present to the governor.

— Sept. 18, 2013: Schneider pleads no contest to misdemeanor embezzlement charges.

— Jan. 11, 2014: McDonnell ends his four-year term under the cloud of the ongoing federal investigation.

— Jan. 21: A federal grand jury indicts the McDonnells on 14 charges, accusing them of accepting thousands of dollars in gifts and loans from Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s products. McDonnell denies wrongdoing and denounces what he calls “unjust overreach” by federal prosecutors.

— Jan. 24: The McDonnells plead not guilty to all charges and are allowed to remain free until their trial, scheduled to begin Monday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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