Gifts To Gov. Routine Politics, Supporters Claim

Several high-profile groups have filed amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court, asking it to throw out a public corruption conviction against former Virginia governor Robert McDonnell. Among the 11 groups to file were 66 former state attorneys general, 31 governors, and a bevy of former high-ranking federal officials. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted last year of accepting gifts and money from a Virginia businessman in exchange for public support of his efforts. McDonnell was sentenced to two years in prison, and his wife to a year and a day.