McDonnell Moved Out Days Before Trial Started

Former Gov. Bob McDonnell is living with his priest in the church rectory. During testimony Thursday, McDonnell said he couldn’t go home each day “and have to rehash the day’s events with my wife,” according to The Washington Post.

The couple is on trial for allegedly trying to wrangle state perks for a Richmond businessman in exchange for lavish gifts. McDonnell told the jury the relationship with his wife is “basically on hold.”

Read updates throughout the day at The Washington Post trial blog.

Through weeks of testimony, Maureen McDonnell has been painted as a difficult woman, particularly during defense questioning.

Earlier this week, Janet Vestal Kelly, the former secretary of the commonwealth, testified about Marueen McDonnell’s “very diva-ish” behavior, including a threat by mansion staff in January 2012 to walk off the job over her attitude.

Bob McDonnell testified Wednesday afternoon that he’d weighed a recommendation at one time to move the first lady out of the governor’s mansion.

The couple was charged Jan. 21 with illegally accepting up to $165,000 in gifts, luxury vacations and large loans from Jonnie Williams, in exchange for lending the prestige of the governor’s office to Williams’ struggling dietary supplement company, Star Scientific.

Read:

• Defense Lawyers Take Turn Attacking Maureen McDonnell
• WJLA’s ”McDonnell trial reveals unflattering portrait of ex-Va. first lady”
• 5 Strangest Things We’ve Learned at the McDonnell Trial

Patch file photo.