McDonnell’s disclosures highlight Virginia’s loose rules for personal gifts to politicians

By Rosalind S. Helderman and Laura Vozzella, Rosalind S. Helderman and Laura Vozzella May 17, 2013 11:31 PM EDT
The Washington Post
Published: May 17

The owners of a vineyard who landed Virginia’s first deal to sell wine in China were so thankful for the help of the state officials who negotiated the agreement that they decided to show their gratitude.

Barboursville Vineyards allowed Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, to host their 35th wedding anniversary party at the vineyard for free. The party for about 100 close friends and relatives took place just a few hours after the couple participated in the 2011 signing ceremony for the China deal at the vineyard.
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{Luca Paschina, winemaker and general manager at Barboursville,} said he learned that the McDonnells were celebrating their 35th anniversary the same year as the vineyard’s. The party celebrated both milestones, and some friends of the vineyard, such as Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia and his wife, were in attendance.
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Virginia Attorney Gen. Ken Cuccinelli II, now running for governor, is under scrutiny for accepting $18,000 in gifts and vacations from {Jonnie R. Williams Sr., the chief executive of Star Scientific, a dietary supplement manufacturer}, even as his office battled Star Scientific in a tax dispute and after Star had become entangled in his office’s prosecution of McDonnell’s former chef on embezzlement charges.