Supporters establish legal defense fund for Bob McDonnell

Friends and supporters of Governor Bob McDonnell have set up a legal defense fund to help with legal expenses and defend his record in office against attack.

The nonprofit 527(e)(1) Restoration Fund's board consists of Virginia Beach attorney Stanley Baldwin, Hampton roads businessman and entrepreneur Tom Knox, and Virginia beach attorney Jason Miyares.

Board chairman Baldwin commented:

"We believe that Bob McDonnell has complied with the laws of Virginia as they relate to financial disclosures. For a decades-long public servant like Governor McDonnell, the legal fees being incurred by the investigations spurred by the case against the former mansion chef could be ruinous. The Governor's friends want to ensure that he can wage a vigorous defense and clear his good name. Bob McDonnell's over four decades of public service to Virginia and the nation, in the U.S. Army, as a prosecutor, Delegate, Attorney General and as Governor has always been one of leadership and conviction.”

The fund will not accept contributions from any Virginia state employees, administration officials, board or commission appointees, or anyone who personally has or is a major shareholder, director, or executive of any entity with business before the Commonwealth.

Donations to the fund are not tax deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes, and persons that contribute more than $200 will be disclosed to the IRS and made public on a regular basis.