WASHINGTON — Prosecutors want Virginia’s former first lady Maureen McDonnell to spend 18 months behind bars based on the leniency the judge showed former Governor Bob McDonnell in sentencing him to just two years.
However, Bob McDonnell is out at least until this spring when his appeal will be heard. He had been set to report to prison on Monday.
Maureen McDonnell is asking for probation with 4,000 hours of community service. Her lawyers say she unraveled in the spotlight of the governor’s mansion – and always put family first. In addition, they say Virginia’s former first lady has been humiliated and ostracized over the corruption case enough that she doesn’t need any more punishment to deter others from taking more than $100,000 in gifts, loans and trips in exchange for the prestige of the governor’s office in the future.
Her lawyers ask that if she is sentenced in two weeks to prison time that part of the time be house arrest.
Maureen McDonnell will be sentenced in two weeks and then she can appeal as her husband has.
WTOP’s Max Smith contributed to this report. Follow Max Smith and WTOP on Twitter.
ALERT: Prosecutors request 18 months in prison for Maureen #McDonnell,based on leniency judge showed fmr Gov
— Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 6, 2015
Maureen #McDonnell is requesting probation with 4,000 hours of community service — Max Smith (@amaxsmith) February 6, 2015
