As Gov. Bob
McDonnell’s tax-payer funded legal fees continue to add up, the reasons why
McDonnell should resign from office grow in parallel fashion. Over the month of
June alone, McDonnell’s team of private attorneys racked up a $90,068 bill,
bringing the total McDonnell welfare costs to $143,500.
The private attorneys were hired by Attorney General Ken
Cuccinelli in April to “assist” the governor in the embezzlement case McDonnell
has been embroiled in with his former chef. While Cuccinelli wisely decided
that defending McDonnell would present a conflict of interest, he certainly
spared no expense finding McDonnell some of the highest priced lawyers in the
state. The so-called conservatives Cuccinelli and McDonnell apparently have no
trouble throwing away the taxpayers’ money.
For McDonnell’s former chef, Todd Schneider, vindication may
be soon at hand as his claims that McDonnell and family received gifts from
Star Scientific’s CEO, Jonnie R. Williams Sr., appear to be a smoking gun at
this point.
For Virginia’s taxpayers and voters, more generally,
vindication may not be so readily at hand. It isn’t likely that the ‘McDonnell
tab’ will be stopped anytime soon and what is spent on McDonnell and his
all-star team of lawyers won’t be reimbursed unless McDonnell finds a few more
wealthy friends and a giving spirit.
Ultimately, it is the trust that McDonnell stole which is
the biggest disappointment. In our age of cynicism, it’s difficult for a lot of
Virginians to believe in the honesty and integrity of their elected representatives,
and McDonnell is a perfect example of why.
I recall vividly the image that McDonnell attempted to paint
of himself as a practical conservative with a strong emphasis on integrity and
family values, and so forth. Wouldn't you know it, McDonnell appears to be the
exact opposite of the image he attempted to project of himself.
In the end, I really have one question for McDonnell: was it
really worth it?
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