Maureen Patricia Gardner McDonnell is the wife of soon to be ex governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell. She and her husband,married for 37 years, have five children together. Jeanine, who served as a U.S. Army Signal Corps officer in Iraq. Cailin who coordinated the youth outreach for the Republican Party of Virginia, Rachel, and twin sons Bobby and Sean who are both athletes in the class of 2014 at the University of Virginia.
A native of Fairfax County, Mrs. McDonnell began her career working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. She later worked for both the U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency and the Department of Defense. During the 1970’s, Mrs. McDonnell was a member of the Redskinettes, now known as the Washington Redskin’s Cheerleaders.
Now, her husband is leaving the office of governor of Virginia in the middle of accusations and investigations of wrong doing by himself and family members.
McDonnell’s departure comes as federal prosecutors investigate whether he and wife Maureen gave special treatment to Star Scientific Inc., a dietary supplement-maker whose chief executive helped cover catering costs for their daughter’s wedding and gave the first couple other gifts, including a Rolex watch for the governor.
McDonnell apologized in July and said he had returned more than $120,000 in loans, as well as other gifts. He repeated in the interview that he had done nothing illegal on Star Scientific’s behalf, but said he’d do “things differently today than choices I made a couple of years ago.”
Maureen has come under fire as well for being paid $36,000 in 2012 to advise the charitable arm of a Virginia coal company.
Political pundits are now waiting to see the results of the federal investigation. Political science professor Dan Palazolo has said that McDonnell’s political future may hinge on what happens.
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