[JURIST] An attorney for former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell [political profile] on Tuesday said he will appeal his public corruption convictions to the US Supreme Court [official website] after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit [official website] refused to reconsider the case. McDonnell’s attorney did not specify [Washington Post report] whether or not McDonnell would have to begin his 2-year prison sentence [JURIST commentary] and some are skeptical that the appeal will even be heard by the Supreme Court.

In 2014 Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen McDonnell were accused [USA Today report] of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from Jonnie Williams, the CEO of Star Scientific Inc., in exchange for favors for and promotions of the company. On July 28, 2014 the trial [Washington Post Timeline] against the former governor and his wife began in which damning evidence was produced showing how the McDonnells frequently promoted the dietary supplements of Star Scientific. On September 4, 2014 the McDonnells were found guilty of the 11 counts of corruption and in January, Bob McDonnell was sentenced to 2-years and Maureen received a 1 year and 1 day sentence.