The Supreme Court on Monday granted former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s request to keep his freedom while appealing his corruption convictions to the high court.
In a motion filed on Aug. 26, U.S. Solicitor General Donald Verrilli Jr. opposed allowing McDonnell to remain free while the court decides whether to review the case.
A federal appeals court panel has already upheld the convictions and the full court refused to reconsider. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals also had rejected McDonnell’s bid to remain free. McDonnell said he was “saddened” by its decision not to extend his freedom while he pursues an appeal of the convictions to the nation’s highest court.
If the Supreme Court had rejected McDonnell’s request, he would have had to report to prison to begin serving his sentence.
McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted on public corruption charges involving favors for a wealthy businessman in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. McDonnell was sentenced to two years in prison while his wife was sentenced to one year and a day.
