Ex-Va. governor Robert McDonnell guilty of 11 counts of corruption

A federal jury on Thursday found former Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, guilty of public corruption — sending an emphatic message that they believed the couple sold the office once occupied by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson to a free-spending Richmond businessman for golf outings, lavish vacations and $120,000 in sweetheart loans.

The jury found the McDonnells lent the prestige of the governor's office to Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in exchange for money, according to the Washington Post.

Robert McDonnell is the first Virginia governor to be charged or convicted of a crime, according to the news report. A sentencing hearing is scheduled Jan. 6.

Read more from the Washington Post.