RICHMOND — Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced Tuesday that he and his wife have repaid more than $120,000 to Star Scientific chief executive Jonnie R. Williams Sr. and apologized for the first time for the controversy involving the prominent donor.
“I am deeply sorry for the embarrassment certain members of my family and I brought upon my beloved Virginia and her citizens,” McDonnell said in a statement announced via Twitter. “I want you to know that I broke no laws and that I am committed to regaining your sacred trust and confidence. I hope today’s action is another step toward that end.”
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Timeline: Star Scientific and Gov. McDonnell
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The McDonnells paid back $52,278.17 for a $50,000 loan made to Maureen McDonnell in 2011 and $71,837 for loans made last year to a real estate company the governor owns with his sister. The loans were repaid by the governor, the real estate company or McDonnell’s family, the statement said.
The announcement appears to represent a shift in strategy for McDonnell since he brought on a new lawyer, John Brownlee, former U.S. attorney for the Western District of Virginia and privately funded spokesman. This is the first time McDonnell has apologized or acknowledged that he and his family had embarrassed the state.
Federal and state investigators have been looking into the relationship between the McDonnells and Williams.
The Washington Post reported that the governor and first lady Maureen McDonnell had promoted Star’s dietary supplement around the time that Williams picked up the$15,000 catering tab at June 2011 wedding of one of their daughters.
Since that time, more gifts have come to light, including a $15,000 Bergdorf Goodman shopping spree for the first lady and a $6,500 Rolex for the governor. Williams also provided the McDonnells with$145,000 in gifts or loans; in addition to the original $15,000 wedding payment, there was $70,000 to a real estate corporation owned by the governor and his sister; $50,000 to Maureen McDonnell and $10,000 to another McDonnell daughter before her wedding this year.
McDonnell and his wife have taken steps to promote the supplement, Anatabloc, an anti-inflammatory billed as holding promise for treating Alzheimer’s and other serious ailments.
Maureen McDonnell touted the product at a seminar for investors in 2011 and hosted a product-launch party, which the governor also attended, at the mansion. Bob and Maureen McDonnell separately encouraged Virginia’s health secretary and his top adviser to meet with Williams so he could make a pitch for the value of his product.
A Star salesman also met with Sara Wilson, director of the Department of Human Resource Management, to request that the state consider having the health plan for state employees cover Anatabloc.
McDonnell has said Williams did not receive any state contracts or other benefits in exchange for his gifts. He also has maintained that he and the first lady did nothing to boost Anatabloc that they would not have done to promote any Virginia-based enterprise.
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