RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Attorneys have opened their defense of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell at his corruption trial by trying to demonstrate that he was open and transparent with his financial records.
A bookkeeper for a real estate partnership owned by McDonnell and his sister testified Monday that the former governor agreed in their first email exchange to give her full access to his bank records. Brenda Chamberlain says it was relatively rare for a client to do so.
On cross-examination, though, she acknowledged that McDonnell was the only client who ever asked for a confidentiality agreement.
Also Monday , the judge announced that another juror has been excused. The judge cited a family emergency, and the juror is replaced by an alternate. Three jurors have been lost so far, leaving one more alternate.
Prosecutors say the McDonnells accepted more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's dietary supplements. Williams testified under immunity.
Defense attorneys have said Bob McDonnell will testify. His wife isn't expected to testify.e
