Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's defense attorneys have asked a judge to sentence the 60-year-old to 6,000 hours of community service over three years instead of 10 years in prison for his federal corruption convictions.
The federal government is planning to put McDonnell behind bars for at least 10 years and one month, the Daily Press reported. But in a sentencing brief filed Tuesday, his lawyers asked for the sentence to be 6,000 hours of full-time community service because his long public service overshadowed the minimal effect of his offense merits.
"Mr. McDonnell and his family have already suffered tremendously, and will continue to suffer the consequences of his investigation, trial and conviction, even without jail time," his lawyers said in the brief.
In September, McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted of public corruption for lending the prestige of the governor's office to Richmond businessman Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for $177,000 in loans, vacations and luxury goods, according to the Associated Press.
The former governor, a Republican who was once on the short list to be Mitt Romney's vice presidential running mate, is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 6, and his wife is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 20.
"His once-promising political career is dead and he has lost his post-government teaching position," the brief continued. "His marriage has fallen apart. His sterling reputation in the community has been irreparably damaged. He has lost his ability to practice law and exercise the most basic rights of citizenship. He will likely lose his state pension."
Although federal sentencing guidelines likely will call for much less, McDonnell faces up to decades in prison.
The probation office has not yet made a recommendation in Maureen McDonnell's case, and prosecutors and defense attorneys are not required to take formal positions on the matter until next month, The Washington Post reported.
Meanwhile, a sentencing brief has not yet been filed by prosecutors.
