Judge mostly sides with feds in McDonnell case

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A federal judge is mostly siding with prosecutors on several pre-trial motions filed ahead of the corruption trial for former Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen.

Judge James R. Spencer ruled Wednesday against motions made by the McDonnells’ lawyers to bar certain evidence from trial, including the financial disclosure form the governor had file when in office and statements Maureen McDonnell made to FBI agents during an interview.

The McDonnells are charged with accepting more than $165,000 worth of loans and gifts in exchange for helping a businessman promote a dietary supplement.

Spencer ruled against the prosecution’s request to limit the number of character witnesses the defense could call to three each but said he likely wouldn’t allow more than five to testify at trial.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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