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Les Smith Reports: Virginians footing the bill for McDonnell’s legal troubles

Posted at 7:28 PM, Oct 25, 2013
and last updated 2013-10-25 19:28:15-04

A new report first reported by the Washington Post and contained in new documents released Friday by the Attorney General's office reveals that Virginians are footing the bill for Governor Bob McDonnell's mounting legal bills.

Not only are the bills growing, but so is the number of lawyers getting a piece of the action.

Federal prosecutors are looking into more than $150,000 in money and gifts given to McDonnell and his family by a dietary supplement company called Star Scientific.

An attorney billed taxpayers to represent Virginia Commonwealth University in the investigation. That's in addition to lawyers for the governor and his staff, the state police, and a state police investigator - all paid for by Virginia taxpayers.

By the end of July, they had racked up legal bills of $244,000.

Some of those law firms charge up to $495 per hour.

McDonnell also hired private attorney's for himself and his wife Maureen. Those bills are paid by a legal defense fund set up by McDonnell's political supporters.