Ex-Gov. Bob McDonnell to Appeal to Supreme Court

A federal appeals court declined to review the case of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, letting his convictions on public corruption charges stand.

In September, a jury found McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of doing favors for wealthy vitamin executive Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans.

A three-judge panel of the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had unanimously upheld McDonnell's convictions in July.

In its brief order on Tuesday, the full 15-member court said it won't reconsider that panel's ruling. Eight judges voted against rehearing McDonnell's case, and seven others "deeming themselves disqualified, did not participate," the order said.

The former Republican governor was convicted on 11 counts of corruption and was sentenced to two years in prison. His wife was sentenced to one year and one day on eight counts. Both have been free while they pursued separate appeals.

According to trial testimony, Williams showered the McDonnells with lavish gifts - including a Rolex watch for the governor, about $20,000 in designer clothing for the first lady and $15,000 to pay for catering at a daughter's wedding. Williams also loaned the McDonnells thousands of dollars to help them pay off debt.

Meanwhile, the McDonnells attended promotional events and hosted a product launch event for Anatabloc, a tobacco-derived anti-inflammatory created by Willliams' company.

Bob McDonnell also arranged meetings with administration officials for Williams, who wanted not only university research on his product but also inclusion of Anatabloc in the state's employee health plan.

The former governor has insisted that he provided nothing more than routine political courtesies. He goes on to say that he was convicted under an overly broad definition of bribery.

It's unclear whether McDonnell will now be required to report to prison. A lawyer says  McDonnell will appeal his public corruption convictions to the U.S. Supreme Court.