Attorneys for Bob McDonnell submit new briefs with the Supreme Court

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WRIC Newsroom – RICHMOND (WRIC) - Attorneys for former governor Bob McDonnell filed 13 amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday.

The high court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in McDonnell's case on April 27.

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The amicus briefs come from 83 former state attorneys general from both political parties, the Republican Governors Association Policy Committee, 88 current and former Virginia legislators from both political parties, 233 business/policy leaders including numerous Presidents and CEO's of major corporations, 3 former governors and several members of Congress. Each brief urges the Supreme Court to reverse McDonnell's conviction.

Some of the notable names that have signed the amicus briefs include:

  • Greg Craig, White House Counsel, President Obama (2009-2010)
  • John M. Quinn, White House Counsel, President Bill Clinton (1995-1997)
  • C. Boyden Gray, White House Counsel, President George H.W. Bush (1989–1993)
  • Lanny J. Davis, Special White House Counsel, Bill Clinton (1996–1998)
  • Ted Olson, Former US Solicitor General (2001-2004)

Several other names are also on the amicus briefs. Click here to download or view the amicus briefs.

In addition to the amicus briefs, three new briefs have been filed: one by civil rights leaders, which argues that statutes at issue are unconstitutionally vague; another brief by the James Madison Center for Free Speech, which argues that the Fourth Circuit's decision threatens to upend the campaign finance system; and another brief filed specifically by the U.S. Justice Foundation, Citizens United Foundation, Gun Owners of America, Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, and the Institute on the Constitution, which argues that Congress lacks the constitutional power needed to police purely local corruption.

A jury in September 2014 convicted McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, of doing favors for wealthy vitamin executive Jonnie Williams in exchange for more than $165,000 in gifts and loans. Williams was seeking state university research on his company's signature anti-inflammatory product.

The case will be argued in April, with a decision expected by the end of June.