A unanimous verdict: US pollies can be bribed, if you play it right

By Paul McGeough
Updated June 29 2016 - 5:23pm, first published 4:26pm
Bob McDonnell, with his wife Maureen, left, celebrates his election as governor of Virginia in November 2009. The couple were indicted on corruption charges in January 2014. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell, with his wife Maureen, left, celebrates his election as governor of Virginia in November 2009. The couple were indicted on corruption charges in January 2014. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell, centre, leaves the Supreme Court in April. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell, centre, leaves the Supreme Court in April. Photo: New York Times
Corridors of power: Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin, left, talks to Bob McDonnell during the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington in 2013.   Photo: New York Times
Corridors of power: Oklahoma governor Mary Fallin, left, talks to Bob McDonnell during the National Governors Association's winter meeting in Washington in 2013. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell outside the US Supreme Court in April. He has been cleared by a unanimous verdict of eight justices. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell outside the US Supreme Court in April. He has been cleared by a unanimous verdict of eight justices. Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell (with papers) at a conference in Las Vegas in 2012.   Photo: New York Times
Bob McDonnell (with papers) at a conference in Las Vegas in 2012. Photo: New York Times
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond.  There are no restrictions on what gifts family members of Virginia office-holders can accept.   Photo: New York Times
The Virginia state Capitol in Richmond. There are no restrictions on what gifts family members of Virginia office-holders can accept. Photo: New York Times

Washington: The governor got to drive a Ferrari. He was at the beachside clambake – where they cracked a $US5000 ($6750) bottle of cognac and poured what was left into the fire. And after exclusive rounds of golf he was allowed to blitz the resort store – with his businessman host picking up the tab.

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