Ex-governor’s pitch for Anatabloc described at trial

Aug. 11--RICHMOND -- Virginia's human resources director told a federal jury today of overtures she received about the tobacco-based diet supplement Anatabloc, including one from then-Gov. Bob McDonnell.

Anatabloc is at the heart of the federal corruption trial of McDonnell and his wife, Maureen. They are charged with soliciting more than $160,000 in loans, gifts and other favors from businessman Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting the supplement produced by his company, Star Scientific.

Sara Wilson, director of the Virginia Department of Human Resource Management, testified that David Dean, a Star marketing representative, "cold-called" her in February 2012 to inquire whether Anatabloc could be covered under the state employees' health insurance plan.

Wilson said she asked Dean if Anatabloc was a drug or a supplement. When he replied that it was a supplement, she said, she told him: "Well, that's going to make this meeting really short, because our plan doesn't cover supplements."

"It sounded like it was not ready for prime time," Wilson said.

A month later, Wilson said, she attended a meeting in the governor's office about the employee health plan. At the end of the meeting, she said, McDonnell "pulled out a bottle of Anatabloc and talked about how much it had helped him and his wife."

As they departed the meeting, Wilson said, she discussed the governor's gesture with her boss, Secretary of Administration Lisa Hicks-Thomas.

"Lisa turned around and said to me, 'He wants us to meet with these people,'" Wilson said.

"I said, 'I didn't hear that.'"

"She said, 'Trust me, that's what he wants.'"

Wilson said she explained to Hicks-Thomas that she had already met with Dean and told him the product couldn't be covered by the state plan, and that was the end of the matter.

Star was promoting Anatabloc as a revolutionary anti-inflammatory agent.

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Ferrari drive hurt police unit morale

Earlier today, McDonnell's chief of staff said he counseled the governor not to repeat an episode in which he drove a Ferrari sports car provided for his use by Williams.

Williams has testified that at Maureen McDonnell's request, he provided his Ferrari roadster for the governor to drive home to Richmond from a stay by the McDonnell family at Williams' vacation home on Smith Mountain Lake.

Martin Kent, the chief of staff, said morale at the State Police executive protective unit, which is charged with protecting the governor and his family, had been hurt by the Ferrari episode.

He said he went to the governor, reminded him of the unit's purpose, and "asked him not to do it again."

He said McDonnell "listened to what I said and didn't push back in any way."

Kent also said he was among the McDonnell staffers who expressed concern about a proposed press release from Star that prominently featured the first couple in announcing a luncheon at the governor's mansion in August 2011. The governor, the first lady and Williams spoke at the event, and samples of Anatabloc were provided at each place setting.

Kent said he and McDonnell's legal counsel contacted Williams' attorney with their concerns and the press release was revised.

Kent said that at the time, he was unaware of the loans and gifts that Williams had provided the McDonnells.

On cross-examination, Kent said he never heard the governor ask for anything to be done for Williams or his company.

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State Police interview with Maureen McDonnell

In February 2013, Kent said, the superintendent of the State Police contacted him about police agents' upcoming interview with Maureen McDonnell related to a criminal investigation of the executive mansion chef.

Kent said he made plans to sit in on the interview but was later contacted by a deputy superintendent who "made clear that I was not invited."

The agents' interview with the first lady delved into the McDonnells' relationship with Williams, which apparently caught her by surprise.

One of the favors bestowed on the McDonnells by Williams was a $15,000 check to cover the catering costs for their daughter Cailin's wedding. The catering was provided by a side venture operated by the mansion chef.

Kent later talked to the governor about the police interview, and McDonnell "was upset," Kent said. "He basically said the interview was not what it was purported to be."

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