CREW statement on Bob McDonnell Supreme Court review

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) Executive Director Noah Bookbinder issued the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to review the corruption conviction of former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.

“Former Gov. McDonnell intervened in state health insurance policy decisions and state-funded scientific research procedures on behalf of a wealthy campaign donor trying to push an unproven drug through the research and approval process.  In exchange for these efforts, former Gov. McDonnell and his family received cash and lavish gifts.  It is disappointing that former Gov. McDonnell and his supporters are asking the Supreme Court to once again water down key corruption laws and define this kind of corrupt activity as simply politics as usual.  Nonetheless, we at CREW are hopeful that the Supreme Court will take this opportunity to reaffirm the importance of strong public corruption laws and send a message that elected officials everywhere will be held accountable when they act in their own interest instead of the public interest.”