Media Feeding Frenzy Ensues Over McDonald Indictments

Maureen McDonnell with Johnnie Williams

As noted yesterday, I continue to wonder what happened to the Bob McDonald I once knew.  In the wake of yesterday's indictment of McDonnell and his wife Maureen, the media both in Virginia and nationally has gone into a feeding frenzy and initial reports seem to confirm my gut feeling that it was Maureen McDonnell that started this train wreck in motion as she seemingly wanted to live the life of a modern day Marie Antoinette using other people's money.  Why Bob McDonnell did not nip the situation in the bud is something we may never know.  The Richmond Times Dispatch reports on Maureen McDonnell's e-mail trail that indeed suggests that she started the fiasco.  Here are story highlights:

The McDonnells were broke and up to their ears in credit card debt. And Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr. came to the rescue.

Trips to basketball games and plane tickets to a bachelorette party. Designer clothes for the first lady, golf for the kids, a Rolex to wear and a Ferrari for the governor to borrow and drive. Cash to cover mortgage debt and to purchase Star stock.

According to the 43-page federal indictment, Maureen and Bob McDonnell showed their appreciation by providing Williams access to the governor and his influence. And when federal investigators began to scrutinize the relationship, the first couple allegedly tried to cover it up.

The indictment sheds new light on numerous aspects of their relationship with Williams, and on the federal investigation.

JW refers to Williams. CM is Cailin, one of the McDonnells’ daughters. MoBo is a real estate partnership for vacation properties the family owned. JE is referred to as counsel and senior policy adviser to McDonnell.

Here are verbatim excerpts from the indictment:

“In or about December 2009, Robert McDonnell attended a political event at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York City. As a result of a request by JW to one of Robert McDonnell’s staff, JW met with Robert McDonnell and Maureen McDonnell at the Four Seasons Hotel. During the meeting, Maureen McDonnell asked for assistance in finding a designer dress for her husband’s upcoming inauguration as governor, and JW agreed to help.

Maureen McDonnell subsequently informed JE, one of Robert McDonnell’s senior staff members, that JW had agreed to purchase a designer dress by Oscar de la Renta for Maureen McDonnell for the inauguration. JE expressed concerns regarding the prospect of JW purchasing Maureen McDonnell’s inaugural dress and ultimately informed her that JW’s purchase of a designer dress for the inauguration would be inappropriate and should not be done. As a result, Maureen McDonnell became upset with JE.

On or about December 21, 2009, Maureen McDonnell sent an email to JE, stating:

‘I need to talk to you about Inaugural clothing budget. I need answers and Bob is screaming about the thousands I’m charging up in credit card debt. We are broke, have an unconscionable amount in credit card debt already, and this Inaugural is killing us!! I need answers and I need help, and I need to get this done.’

“On or about April 13, 2011, JW accompanied Maureen McDonnell to several luxury stores in New York City, including Oscar de la Renta, Louis Vuitton, and Bergdorf Goodman. Maureen McDonnell informed JW that she needed dresses and accessories for her daughter’s upcoming wedding and for her and Robert McDonnell’s upcoming anniversary party. JW paid for the entire luxury shopping trip for Maureen McDonnell and spent approximately $10,999 at Oscar de la Renta, approximately $5,685 at Louis Vuitton, and approximately $2,604 at Bergdorf Goodman.

As promised by Maureen McDonnell, JW was seated next to Robert McDonnell at the Union League Club event later that evening.”

Maureen McDonnell asked JW for a $50,000 loan. Maureen McDonnell also told JW that she could help Star Scientific but that she needed JW’s financial assistance.”

“Maureen McDonnell also informed JW that she and Robert McDonnell did not know how they were going to pay for their daughter’s upcoming wedding expenses, and she asked for JW’s assistance. JW asked how much money was needed, and Maureen McDonnell responded that $15,000 was needed to pay the remaining catering costs.”

There's much more in the article, but what strikes me is that Maureen McDonnell never seems to have considered the option of her family living less extravagantly.   I paid for a daughter's wedding and it DOES NOT have to cost $15,000 for "the remaining catering costs."  We hear the members of the GOP constantly telling Americans that they need to live within their means.  That obviously wasn't the rule at the Governor's mansion over the last four years.