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Banker back on stand in corruption trial of Virginia ex-governor, wife

Published 08/13/2014, 09:55 AM
Updated 08/13/2014, 10:00 AM
Banker back on stand in corruption trial of Virginia ex-governor, wife

By Gary Robertson

RICHMOND Va. (Reuters) - A banker was to resume testimony on Wednesday in the federal corruption trial of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen.

William Sessoms Jr., the president of Towne Financial Services, testified on Tuesday that McDonnell had dozens of late fees on loans he had taken out with the bank for rental properties he and his sister owned in the Virginia Beach area.

Sessoms, who is also the mayor of Virginia Beach, was testifying about McDonnell's application to refinance a loan on one of the two properties.

McDonnell, a Republican, and his wife face 14 counts of corruption and bribery in connection with allegedly accepting $165,000 in loans and gifts from Jonnie Williams Sr., the former chief executive of a dietary supplement company now called Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Inc.

The McDonnells are alleged to have accepted the gifts and money in exchange for promoting Williams' products.

McDonnell's initial failure to disclose Williams's loan on bank papers is part of the charges. The trial in U.S. District Court is in its 13th day and is expected to run into September.

Attorneys for the couple have argued that accepting the gifts and money was unseemly but not illegal.

© Reuters. Former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell arrives with his legal team for his trial in Richmond

If convicted, the McDonnells could face more than 20 years in prison and a large fine. McDonnell's four-year term as governor ended in January.

(Editing by Ian Simpson and Bill Trott)

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