Decision Makes It Harder to Prosecute Corruption

“The Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to vacate former Virginia governor Robert F. McDonnell’s public corruption conviction will significantly limit prosecutors’ ability to bring cases against politicians suspected of malfeasance and could spell trouble for the Justice Department in ongoing, high-profile cases,” the Washington Post reports.

“The ruling, which narrows what constitutes criminal corruption, will be an immediate boon for Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), who is awaiting an appeals court ruling in a corruption case, experts said. Lawyers for former New York State Assembly speaker Sheldon Silver (D) said the ruling also will be central to their client’s bid to overturn his conviction.”