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Former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell sentenced to 2 years

By Andrew V. Pestano
Former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell arrives for his corruption trial at the U.S. District Court in August in Richmond, Virginia. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI
1 of 2 | Former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell arrives for his corruption trial at the U.S. District Court in August in Richmond, Virginia. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI | License Photo

RICHMOND, Va., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell was sentenced to two years for corruption charges on Tuesday and must report to prison by Feb. 9.

McDonnell was convicted on 11 counts of corruption in September, including one count of honest-services wire fraud.

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"I stand before you a heartbroken and humbled man," McDonnell said in the courtroom. "I renew that deep expression of sorrow to the people of Virginia today."

Prosecutors were seeking to imprison McDonnell for 10 to 12 years, but Judge James Spencer, who presided over the trial, lowered the sentencing range to 6 1/2f to 8 years.

McDonnell accepted loans, vacations and gifts totaling about $177,000 from Jonnie Williams, a family friend and previous CEO of Star Scientific, Inc.

Williams received immunity for testifying against McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, who was also found guilty of eight charges and will be sentenced Feb. 20.

Gifts included a Rolex worth at least $6,000 for the governor and a shopping spree for the governor's wife that cost almost $20,000.

McDonnell has reportedly been earning about $7,500 month working as a consultant since September.

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