The FBI is investigating the relationship between Gov. Bob McDonnell, his wife, and the CEO of Star Scientific, Jonnie R. Williams Sr, The Washington Post reported Monday night.
Williams was a major campaign donor and is said to have footed the $15,000 catering bill at McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding. The investigators are also looking into other undisclosed gifts from Williams’ to the governor’s wife.
The agents began looking into this a few months ago and now federal officials, according to the Post, are deciding whether to broaden the investigation to see if McDonnell or his administration helped Star Scientific in exchange for money or other benefits.
Star Scientific, a Henrico-County based company, is currently the subject of a federal securities investigation.
IN OTHER NEWS:
* The former chef at the Virginia governor’s mansion who was accused of embezzlement asked for his case to be dismissed because of Cuccinelli’s conflict of interest, which he says has tainted the proceedings. (Washington Post)
* The D.C. Cab Commission is expected to announce Wednesday that the city’s taxi design will be standardized as red with a gray stripe. (News4)
* McAuliffe says he will not ask for Cuccinelli to resign as attorney general. (NBC 12)
* The D.C. Council is trying to shift the upcoming April Fools primary from April 1 to June 2014. (News4)
* The Supreme Court ruled that it’s legal for Virginia to block out-of-state people from using its Freedom of Information Act to get state documents. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
* Ken Cuccinelli launches the first television ad in the gubernatorial campaign. (Washington Examiner)
* “The O'Malley administration settled a class action lawsuit brought by critics who accused the state of failing low-income and disabled Marylanders by regularly taking nearly a year to approve medical assistance applications as part of a severe backlog.” (Baltimore Sun)
* NBC 12 interviews McAuliffe about his controversial company, GreenTech. (NBC 12)
* After Mayor Gray’s statement to the contrary, D.C. officials scrambled to assure people that D.C. is prepared for a Boston-like attack. (Washington Examiner)
* Del. Ron George (R-Anne Arundel) plans to announce that he is running for Maryland governor early in June. (Washington Post)
