Former Va. Gov. Bob McDonnell, Wife Plead Not Guilty
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife pleaded not guilty to corruption charges in front of a federal judge on Friday.
As we've reported, McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, have been charged with 14 counts, including conspiracy and wire fraud over allegations they took gifts from the CEO of a pharmaceutical company and in exchange provided Star Scientific with the "prestige of the governorship."
USA Today says the McDonnells were released on their own recognizance but were ordered not to leave the country. The paper adds:
"The former governor's lawyer told Novak the defendants already have surrendered their passports.
"Clearly exasperated by months of news stories about the case based on anonymous sources, [U.S. Magistrate Judge David Novak] sternly lectured lawyers from both sides not to discuss the case with the media. He warned that such conduct violates a local court rule and could result in contempt of court charges.
" 'This case is going to be tried in the courtroom; it is not going to be tried in the media,' Novak said. 'The gamesmanship with the media ends now.' "