WASHINGTON (AP) — A unanimous Supreme Court on Monday overturned the bribery conviction of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell in a ruling that could make it harder for prosecutors to bring corruption cases against elected officials. The court voted to narrow the scope of a law that bars public officials from taking gifts in exchange for "official action," saying it does not cover routine courtesies like setting up meetings or hosting events for constituents. Chief Justice John Roberts agreed with McDonnell that the instructions to his trial jury about what constitutes "official acts" was so broad that it could include virtually any action a public official might take while in office. There have already been some signs of its potential impact: in New York, a federal judge said last month that former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, convicted of illegally pocketing $5 million, could wait until after the Supreme Court ruling to report to prison. Tara Malloy, deputy executive director of the watchdog group Campaign Legal Center, said the ruling "makes it even more difficult to protect our democracy from attempts by officeholders to peddle political access and influence to the highest bidder." The gifts included nearly $20,000 in designer clothing and accessories for McDonnell's wife, a $6,500 engraved Rolex watch, $15,000 in catering for their daughter's wedding, and free family vacations and golf trips for their boys. Roberts agreed that the government's position "could cast a pall of potential prosecution" over public officials interacting with the people they serve.
High Court Overturns Former Virginia Governor's Conviction
By SAM HANANEL, Associated Press, San Antonio Express-News: World
Mon, 06/27/2016 - 10:26am
BING NEWS:
- A Virginia Circuit Court Finds Youngkin’s Withdrawal from RGGI ‘Unlawful’
Environmentalists and trade groups breathed a sigh of relief, while the governor promised to appeal the ruling.
11/20/2024 - 9:04 pm | View Link - Judge halts governor's effort to remove Virginia from greenhouse gas initiative
A judge has ruled that Virginia can’t withdraw from a multistate initiative designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions unless the Legislature agrees to it ...
11/20/2024 - 8:00 am | View Link - Judge Overturns Major Effort To Purge Virginia Voters From Rolls
The Justice Department had sued GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin over his supposed attempt to remove noncitizens from voter rolls.
10/25/2024 - 10:45 am | View Link - More
Welcome to Wopular
Wopular is an
online newspaper rack,
giving you a summary view of the top headlines from the top news sites.
Senh Duong (Founder)
Wopular,
MWB,
RottenTomatoes
MoviesWithButter : Our Sister Site
- "Expendables 4" Starts Shooting This Fall, Says Randy Couture at the Arnold Sports Festival more
- “Expendables 4” Gets Funding Interest from “Ip Man 3” Financier more
- "Ip Man 3" Distributor Suspected of Box Office Fraud, Parent Company Loses $200M in Market Cap more
- Yen Targets "Ip Man 4" for 2018 Release; Discusses Film with Director, Producer more
- "Ip Man 3" Shatters Expectations with $72M Opening [China Box Office] more