Court: Bob McDonnell can’t remain free while appealing conviction

Roberts handles emergency appeals from the Fourth Circuit, and he can decide the matter himself, or refer it to the entire Supreme Court. There is no set timeline for Roberts or the court to make a decision.

“The issue in this case is whether an ordinary citizen who was not a public official was on fair notice that Governor McDonnell’s actions would be deemed a violation of the federal bribery statutes”, the lawyers wrote.

In the absence of a stay, McDonnell’s attorneys are asking the Supreme Court to grant him bond while he pursues an appeal there.

“It is not very likely that the court would consider his case”, he says, because the issues raised by McDonnell’s attorneys are “fairly routine”.

The former governor could be jailed within a few months, experts said. The agency then sends a certified letter to the defendant telling him where and when to report to prison. But first, the courts typically take several days to submit pre-sentencing reports and any other information and documentation to the bureau.

Former Virginia governor Robert McDonnell speaks to reporters after his sentencing in January.

McDonnell was convicted on 11 public corruption charges and vetted by Mitt Romney as a running mate in 2012, and was once considered a potential 2016 presidential candidate, as an established center-right victor in a critical swing state.

Maureen McDonnell will have her appeal heard by a three-judge panel October. 29. She got one year and one day. They are both free on bond while they pursue appeals.

A formal request to the Supreme Court is now McDonnell’s last chance to remain free from prison while he continues to fight his case.

He appealed the decision and the verdict was upheld in July.