VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. – Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell’s federal corruption conviction was overturned Monday by the U.S. Supreme Court.
The conviction was unanimously vacated by the eight Supreme Court justices but prosecutors in a lower court will have the option of retrying McDonnell.
McDonnell’s case centered around the question of what constitutes the scope of “official action” under federal corruption law.
Click here to read the full story on the Supreme Court decision.
McDonnell released the following statement Monday afternoon:
I express my heartfelt gratitude to the justices of the United States Supreme Court for the time and attention they have given to the law in my case. Today, a unanimous United States Supreme Court Vacated my convictions, and it is a day in which my family and I rejoice and give thanks.
From the outset, I strongly asserted my innocence before God and under the law. I have not, and would not, betray the sacred trust the people of Virginia bestowed upon me during 22 years in elected office.
Over this past 40 months, God strengthened and comforted me through the love and many support of friends, family, and even strangers, through His abundant, miraculous and amazing grace, and through the eternal truths of His holy word.
I am exceptionally grateful to my faithful legal team who zealously advocated my cause at every step, as well as the authors and signers of the 13 excellent amicus briefs that argued for reversal. I thank the many friends and relatives who steadfastly supported my family and me through this time of great uncertainty. Countless people have called, emailed, texted, and came to see me to lend a wise piece of advice, a message of hope, a heartfelt prayer, or a hug. These multiple acts of kindness have become the new tapestry of my life, and have given me a vivid and indelible example of Jesus’ admonition to live by the Golden Rule.
It is my hope that this matter will soon be over and that my family and I can begin to rebuild our lives.
Click here to see our full coverage of the McDonnell trial
Counsel for Bob McDonnell’s wife, Maureen McDonnell, also released the following statement Monday afternoon:
Mrs. McDonnell is extraordinarily grateful for the Supreme Court’s unanimous opinion today vacating her husband’s convictions. The Court’s legal analysis is consistent with that urged by Governor and Mrs. McDonnell throughout these proceedings.
Mrs. McDonnell’s case has been in abeyance at the Fourth Circuit pending today’s decision. The highest Court in the country has rejected the Government’s broad definition of “official act” applied throughout this case. We now look forward to bringing this matter to a close.
