Supes Overturn McDonnell Bribery Conviction

Supreme Court vacates Bob McDonnell's convictions; says concern not with 'tawdry tales' but with 'boundless interpretation' of bribery law

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday unanimously reversed former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell's 11 corruption convictions.

The high court vacated the unanimous finding of the Richmond-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which had rejected McDonnell's arguments and upheld the guilty verdicts.

"There is no doubt that this case is distasteful; it may be worse than that," Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr., wrote in delivering the opinion for the court. "But our concern is not with tawdry tales of Ferraris, Rolexes, and ball gowns.

"It is instead with the broader legal implications of the governments' boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute. A more limited interpretation of the term 'official act' leaves ample room for prosecuting corruption, while comporting with the text of the statute and the precedent of this court."

Roberts concluded: "The judgment of the Court of Appeals is vacated and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with this opinion."

I must say I'm shocked that the four liberal justices were convinced. But as Instapundit shouts:  OF COURSE, THE REAL MISSION WAS TO PUT THE STATE IN THE HANDS OF A HILLARY CRONY BEFORE THE 2016 ELECTION, SO OVERALL THE PROSECUTION WAS STILL A SUCCESS.

Does this mean Hillary is off the hook for the boundless collection of bribery and influence peddling under the guise of giving speeches?