Former Virginia Governor Convicted of Public Corruption

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Bob McDonnell appeared to be a straight arrow: former Army lieutenant colonel, loving husband, father of five, Christian-values conservative. As Virginia's governor from 2010 to 2014, he served state employees well and worked effectively with both Republicans and Democrats in the Virginia General Assembly. On the national stage, he served as chairman of the Republican Governors Association and was mentioned as a possible Republican vice presidential candidate for Mitt Romney.
But McDonnell, along with his wife Maureen, fell victim to greed. They did favors for Jonnie R. Williams, a Florida health supplement manufacturer, in exchange for $177,000 in cash, $25,000 in wedding presents for two of their daughters, vacations and the use of a boat and a Ferrari. Among the gifts they received from Williams were approximately $20,000 in designer clothing and accessories for Maureen and a $6,500 Rolex watch for Bob. The head of the Justice Department's criminal division said that the McDonnells "turned public service into a money-making enterprise."
Put on trial for public corruption, the McDonnells received guilty verdicts on September 4. A federal jury in Richmond convicted Bob of 11 of 13 counts, while Maureen was convicted of 9 of 13 counts. This marked the first time in Virginia history that a governor had ever been charged with or convicted of a crime. Sentencing is scheduled for January 6, and each could face up to 30 years in prison.
Bob McDonnell's attorney said that his client did not receive a fair trial, and that he will appeal the conviction. Lawyers are already debating whether the convictions were fair or not, and whether this case included an overly aggressive pursuit of a politician doing favors for a political supporter. But regardless of the outcome, the trial raises questions of personal morality, and how individuals can be undone by arrogance, self-delusion, selfishness, greed and blame.
Bob McDonnell apparently thought he could exploit loopholes in Virginia law to gain $177,000 in gifts and loans. He showed arrogance and self-delusion on the witness stand, testifying in his own defense that he provided nothing more than routine political courtesies for Jonnie Williams. But the evidence revealed that McDonnell sent emails to state officials asking them to talk to Williams about his product, and that McDonnell held two promotional events for Williams at the governor's mansion.
Most troubling, Bob McDonnell mounted a "broken marriage defense," blaming his wife for her relationship with Williams. His testimony exposed embarrassing details about her erratic behavior and their marital woes, implying that they could not have conspired because they had terrible communication. Defense attorneys said that Maureen McDonnell had a "crush" on Williams (although not a sexual relationship) and was vulnerable to his offers of assistance. But jurors were not convinced that the McDonnell marriage was broken, given the fact that they had separated only a week before the trial.
At one point, Bob McDonnell was offered a plea deal, which would have required him to plead guilty to just one crime and would have let his wife go unpunished. But he turned it down, hoping to win complete exoneration for himself. It appears now that he has destroyed their marriage in a desperate attempt to save himself.
Leaving the courthouse, Bob McDonnell commented that his "trust remains in the Lord." But he'll have to show the virtue of humility if he wants to rebuild his family and his professional life.
More on this story can be found at these links:
Ex-Va. Gov. McDonnell's Attorney Vows to Appeal Corruption Convictions. Fox News
Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell Found Guilty in Corruption Trial. Los Angeles Times
Ex-Va. Governor Robert McDonnell Guilty of 11 Counts of Corruption. The Washington Post
Bob McDonnell's Self-Delusion and Arrogance Led to Downfall in Corruption Trial. The Washington Post
The Big Questions
1. What are the biggest temptations faced by those who enter public service? To the extent that you feel comfortable sharing, what do you find to be your greatest temptation in your line of work?
2. Politicians are meant to serve their constituents and supporters, just as businesspeople serve their customers and pastors serve their church members. But when does service cross the line into inappropriate favors?
3. How does arrogance affect our ability to make good decisions? Who helps keep you grounded and prevents you from arrogance? What is the positive effect of humility? Give examples.
4. Self-delusion prevents us from seeing ourselves and our personal situations clearly. How can family members, friends and fellow church members serve as accountability partners?
5. What causes selfishness and greed to grow within you, and how can these vices be controlled?
6. Where in your life are you tempted to blame others for your difficulties, and how can you take appropriate responsibility for the problems you cause?
Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope
Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:
Genesis 3:6
So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. (For context, read 3:1-13.)
The serpent tempts Eve to eat the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden, saying that she will not die if she eats it. She wants to "be like God" (v. 5), as the serpent promises she will be. But when she and Adam eat the fruit of the tree which is "a delight to the eyes," their eyes are opened and they realize they are naked. For the first time, they feel ashamed, and then Adam blames Eve for his transgression, saying, "The women ... gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate" (v. 12).
Questions: What earthly treasures seem good but end up hurting us? When do we make bad choices, wanting to be like God? Why does Adam blame Eve for his failure? Is this fair? Explain.
Genesis 50:20 (ESV)
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. (For context, read 50:15-21.)
Bob McDonnell, like Rod Blagojevich and Ray Nagin before him, proclaimed himself innocent. McDonnell stated upon his conviction, "My trust remains in the Lord." Assume for a moment that each -- or only one -- of these three politicians were, like Joseph, wrongly convicted and wrongly sentenced to prison. After all, the courts are no more infallible than any other organization of human beings.
Questions: How might God use each of these for good, even for the the good of "many people"? If you were wrongly convicted and imprisoned, how could you demonstrate your trust in God? How easy was that for Joseph, and how easy would it be for you?
2 Samuel 12:5-7
[David] said to Nathan, "As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die; he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity." Nathan said to David, "You are the man!" (For context, read 11:1--12:15.)
King David fails to lead his troops into battle, instead choosing to remain in Jerusalem. There he commits adultery with Bathsheba and conspires to have her husband Uriah killed in battle. God sends to David the prophet Nathan, who tells the story of a poor man who is abused by a rich man, with the rich man taking the poor man's only lamb and preparing it as food for a visitor. David is so angry at the rich man that he condemns him, and then Nathan reveals that David himself is the man.
Questions: Why does the rich man in this story feel entitled to take something that does not belong to him? In what ways are political leaders and administrators "rich" in comparison to other citizens? Who are the prophets who hold rich and powerful people accountable today?
Luke 12:15
And [Jesus] said to them, "Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions." (For context, read 12:13-21.)
Jesus responds to a request for help in dividing a family inheritance by warning the crowd about the danger of greed. Then he tells the parable of the rich fool, a story which cautions us about people "who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God" (v. 21).
Questions: What motivates greed in our lives? Why do we need to store up more and more treasures? What might it mean for us to be "rich toward God"?
1 Timothy 1:15
The saying is sure and worthy of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the foremost. (For context, read 1:12-17.)
Paul sees himself as a faithful servant of Christ, but also a former blasphemer, persecutor and man of violence. He encourages people to follow his model of leaning on God's grace, not some made-up model of human perfection.
Questions: How are we helped by admitting our sinfulness, instead of failing to admit our transgressions? In what ways are we strengthened by being honest and open about our failures and our need for forgiveness? Does your worship service include a time of confession? Why or why not, do you think?
James 4:16
As it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil. (For context, read 4:13-17.)
James observes that people confidently make plans for "doing business and making money" (v. 13), without being aware of "what tomorrow will bring" (v. 14). He recommends complete dependence on God, and warns against arrogance and failing to do the right thing.
Questions: What causes us to boast in arrogance and fail to show humility? How can a dependence on God and a focus on doing the right thing keep us out of trouble?
For Further Discussion
1. Bob McDonnell modeled his political platform on convictions about what makes for strong families across society. But then he apparently sold out his wife and marriage in an effort to protect himself. What would have helped him to hold together his words and his actions? How can the church promote the creation of strong families that stay together during tough times?
2. Paul warns Timothy that "the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains" (1 Timothy 6:10). How could the McDonnells have heeded this warning? In what ways is it a verse that we all need to take seriously?
3. Is it always right to put family first? Or is speaking the truth a higher priority, even if it causes the dissolution of a family? Give examples.
4. Where do you see arrogance and self-delusion in the Christian community? How can we approach the world with more humility and honesty?
5. How does selfishness and greed destroy families and careers? What can the church do to help people shift their focus from earthly treasures to heavenly treasures? How would such a shift make us happier and healthier?
Responding to the News
As the November elections approach, look beyond political positions to the character of the candidates. Look for evidence of humility and self-awareness in those who aspire to elected office, while watching for signs of selfishness and greed.
Closing Prayer
Great God, help us to be on guard against all kinds of greed, as we aspire to be rich toward you. In Jesus' name. Amen.