Ex-Virginia gov. testifies in his corruption trial

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Taking the stand in his defense in his public corruption trial, former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says he got an inkling soon after his election that his wife had reservations about being first lady.

McDonnell began his much-anticipated testimony Wednesday. He and his wife, Maureen, are accused of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting the dietary supplements-maker’s products.

The former governor’s lawyers have suggested that Maureen McDonnell acted largely on her own to promote Anatabloc, a tobacco-based anti-inflammatory.

Bob McDonnell said Wednesday that he could tell she was not as happy as he was about his election and that she was upset and concerned about her role as first lady.

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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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