RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A forensic accountant hired as a defense witness will be back on the stand when the corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, resumes in federal court in Richmond.
The accountant testified Tuesday that the McDonnells and the former governor's sister were financially sound. He will answer more questions about his examination of financial records Wednesday.
The testimony is intended to counter the government's claims that the former first couple and a real estate partnership between Bob McDonnell and his sister were struggling financially. According to prosecutors, that financial desperation helped drive the McDonnells to accept more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for using their office to promote his company's dietary supplements.
