Prosecutors oppose new trial for McDonnells

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal prosecutors are opposing a request from former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, for a new trial on public corruption charges.

Prosecutors filed a motion Tuesday with U.S. District Judge James Spencer, saying the request is “without merit.”

Spencer presided over the nearly six-week trial that ended Sept. 4 when the jury convicted Bob McDonnell on 11 counts and his wife on nine.

Following the trial, the McDonnells asked to be acquitted or granted a new trial because they contended prosecutors failed to prove they performed any “official acts” for former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams.

The McDonnells were convicted of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Williams in exchange for promoting his company’s dietary supplements.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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