RICHMOND, Va. -- Yes, it’s a historic, first-ever corruption trial of a Virginia governor.
It’s also a national scandal that blew the high-flying political career of Bob McDonnell right out of the sky.
But you can’t help but think of this serious-business federal corruption trial as a country music soap opera.
Wednesday’s testimony had the former first lady – a former Washington Redskins cheerleader - gleefully trying on dresses in some of New York City’s finer shops as a shady tobacco executive sat on an ottoman, waiting to pay the $20,000 bill.
“This went on for hours,” testified Star Scientific chief leader Jonnie Williams, who looked tan and dapper on the stand, wearing what appeared to be the identical suit and tie he wore for an event at the governor’s mansion before the scandal mushroomed.
Williams, a wheeler-dealer tobacco exec who has made and ruined fortunes pushing his miracle tobacco health products, testified bluntly he wanted to use the McDonnells and their office to boost his business.
He said he found Mrs. McDonnell hungry for some all-expenses-paid shopping times in the swank shops of New York City.
Already, the McDonnell’s defense has portrayed the former first lady as crushing on Jonnie Williams. Bob McDonnell has said Williams “poisoned’ his dysfunctional marriage.
Wednesday’s soap opera testimony appeared to back up this bimbo defense. Williams testified he was all set to buy Mrs. McDonnell a designer inauguration dress, but the governor’s lawyer said no and Mrs. McDonnell was quite disappointed.
His testimony began with an explanation of how he had bought and turned around the Brown & Williamson tobacco company in Petersburg.
Armchair scientific research convinced him some substances in tobacco beyond nicotine made it addictive and also had positive effects on the body, including fighting thyroid cancer. He used this belief to steer the business into biotech product design.
We was very believable on the stand, even to someone who has read of his costly ventures. He looked like he could be a TV doctor on a soap opera. I wanted to have some of his miracle cream.
Bob McDonnell looked like could use some. He appeared wan and still and patient, turning occasionally to watching Williams testify how the governor used his Leer Jet and had spoke at a function on behalf of his so-called research firm.
Williams said on the stand he was willing to spend money and time to bank on the “credibility of the governor.” Earlier he said, “I think it’s become common practice in Virginia.”
The former governor sat apart from his wife at the defense table. The couple also left the courthouse apart with separate entourages.
I watched, embarrassed for everyone, except Jonnie Williams. He looked like he was having a fine time on the stand, comfortable with being a cold-blooded, manipulative fat cat who would do whatever it takes to sell his stuff. “The number one rule of business is to stay in business,” he said unapologetically from the stand. It’s unclear at this point what kind of deal he has with federal investigators.
But Maureen McDonnell . . . really? It’s okay for some dude to sit outside your dressing room as you try on clothes he’s paying for? I’m hearing that country song, “I like my women a little on the trashy side.”
Bob McDonnell . . . really? You’re going to let this happen; use this guy’s jet, his car, his toys? I guess all the fast-talking businessmen sound better at closing time, to borrow from that country song.
Charles Everrett James Jr., a white-collar criminal defense attorney for Williams Mullen and a former prosecutor in this very same federal courthouse, said “none of us would like our personal lives laid bare in a courtroom like we’ve seen here today . . . But the jury is going to be reminded in the jury instructions . . the question is whether they did something illegal, not whether they did something salacious.”
The trial resumes Thursday morning with lots more questions from the prosecutor for Jonnie Williams. It’s going to be his show for the next couple of days in this monthlong-plus country song of historic proportions.
Timmy McFadden
Every woman will spread her legs if the right amount of money is laid on the table.
athynz
Timmay has some issues with women.
Sam
Obviously. He needs to be sharing his feelings with a psychiatrist rather than posting to a comment board.
athynz
Sam we may not agree on much but you and I seem to be on the same page with Timmay. I hope he gets the help he needs before all the bitterness and rage makes him do something stupid and violent to a woman.
Michelangelo Corsica
Good money says he’s a conservative.
Erica
No, not every woman Tiny Tim…… only the whores in your family.
Timmy McFadden
You’ve got a price tag too, Erica. Did your boyfriend ever give you a diamond, and if so, I’m sure you hooked up with him that night. The diamond was the price of the hookup. Prostitution IS legal; we just call it marriage.
Michelangelo Corsica
Ever buy your mother a birthday or Christmas gift, Timmy?
Ron Melancon
Great story. Excellent report
Cyndie Harper- Williams
Maybe the Tobacco Commission needs a thourough Investigation since it seems that Big Tobacco and Republican politicians seem to always be connected via cronyism. GOP women, a sad case. They go through hell to stand by their Husbands and get thrown under the bus if need be. Yes, I would say there is some dysfunction here. Just goes to show how little respect GOP men have for women. GOP women deserve what they get for playing the game.
manalishi
Your war on women (and under the bus) sounds more like Hillary(cankles) or client # 9’s wife.
Michelangelo Corsica
Really…are we going to do that?
John Ensign
Larry Craig
Newt Gingrich
Henry Hyde
Bob Dole
Mike Bowers
John McCain
Mark Sanford
David Vitter
Bob Dornan
Ronald Reagan
John Warner
Arnold Schwartzenegger
Dan Burton
Bob Barr
Bill Randolph
Rudy Guiliani
Scott DesJarlais
Bob Packwood
Strom Thurmond
bob Livingston
Mary Fallin
Sue Myrick (R-NC)
Pete Domenici
Steven LaTourette
Mark Foley
Shall we continue? Would you like to move away from the extra-marital affairs and solicitations of prostitutes and groping of staffers and move on to those who have been arrested, tried and convicted for sexual crimes…many against minors? I guarantee you my list of Republicans/conservatives is far, far greater than any list you can put together.
Dustin Cavanaugh
All I am gathering is his wife’s a ho, he’s gullible, and the williams guy is a buttmunch.
Sam
Don’t you get the impression that the gov and his wife hold money and bling higher than honor and principles? I would think you would also get that impression.
J
Gotta love the “family values” republicans. Do as I say, not as I do. The more conservative they are, the more hypocritical.
Sandy
Does your wife agree with your assessment, Timmy?
athynz
If Timmay is actually still married I feel sorry for his wife – if he’s divorced I feel sorry for his ex-wife.
Erica
Sandy & Athynz, Tiny Tim doesn’t have a wife anymore because he is coo coo crazy. I agree Athynz that if Tiny Tim doesn’t get help he will hurt a woman. I can see a murder- suicide coming, or just a murder against a woman.
John
She appears to be a whore which is for money, shopping spree covers that, 20k. Right? Nice to know she has a price. If they flew on a plane home after the shopping, they may have punched their one Mile high club card, if there’s such a club. Hoot hoot my sister is a slut, she gives her kitty away for free.