SCOTUS: Law that prohibits gifts, many thousands of $s of gifts, in exchange for political favors, may be unconstitutional

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Oral argument questions suggest Supreme Court will overturn Va. Governor corruption conviction

Lavish gifts to governor and wife in return for political favors deemed “routine” and “everyday”

The Washington Post reported that “Supreme Court justices seemed prepared to overturn the 2014 corruption conviction of former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell and perhaps make it harder for prosecutors to bring charges against politicians who provide favors for their benefactors.”

The Post went on to report, “Justices on both sides of the ideological divide expressed concern about federal corruption laws that could criminalize what they variously called “routine” or “everyday” actions that politicians perform for campaign contributors or supporters who have provided them with gifts.”

The case involved gifts and loans the governor and his wife accepted from Jonnie R. Williams Sr., the chief executive of a dietary supplement manufacturer, Star Scientific, including a Rolex watch, a $20,000 shopping spree, $15,000 in catering expenses for a daughter’s wedding and tens of thousands of dollars in private loans.

The jury found that McDonnell and his wife, in exchange for these gifts, promoted a Star Scientific  product, a supplement called Anatabloc, by hosting an event at the governor’s mansion, distributing samples of the product and encouraging universities to do research.

In a particular compelling piece of evidence, one which it is believed led directly to the jury’s vote to convict, Mr. McDonnell emailed Mr. Williams asking about a $50,000 loan, and six minutes later sent another email to his staff, requesting an update on Anatabloc scientific research.

In their questioning of the lawyers, the justices suggested the federal corruption law that led to the McDonnell indictment might be unconstitutional, questioned whether instructions given to the jury were proper and whether there was sufficient evidence to warrant the convictions.

It has not been confirmed who sent the Tourneau Fine Watches package containing eight gold Rolex watches that was delivered to the Supreme Court mailroom on the morning of the oral arguments nor whether receipt of the watches would be considered “routine” or “everyday” actions by the justices.

On a side note, it was reported that former secretary of state Hillary Clinton was very pleased by the justices questions and was eagerly looking forward to their decision, while Vermont senator Bernie Sanders was seen screaming incoherently about the "corrupt electoral finance system" and the need to get "money out of politics."

For his part, Republican presidential front-runner and businessman Donald J. Trump said, "Rolex watches are so passé. I mean everyone has one. If they're serious they should be giving them Patek Phillipe's at the very least."