RICHMOND — Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell was sentenced Friday to a year and a day in federal prison — a penalty less than what federal prosecutors had sought but one that will still put her behind bars briefly.
U.S. District Judge James R. Spencer said he struggled to understand the true nature of the former first lady — who seemed at times to be a loving mother and wife devoted to her family and other times a greedy and tyrannical woman who made others miserable.
“It’s difficult to get to the heart of who Mrs. McDonnell truly is,” Spencer said.
Spencer allowed Maureen McDonnell to remain free on bond while her appeal is pending.
I am not sure it is really up to Judge Spencer to understand Mrs. McDonald nor should figuring her out have any bearing on her sentence. She either did it or she didn’t. (whatever “it” is) I am one of those who do not think either McDonald belongs in jail.
It is highly probable that Mrs. McDonald is greedy and did make everyone around her miserable. Perhaps that is the toll that politics takes on some couples. Money also takes a high toll, especially when the couple is middle class. Mrs. McDonald was expected to dress to the nines, look like a million dollars on a shoestring budget. She was a middle class lady playing on a field of high rollers.
