Virginia’s former First Lady Maureen McDonnell made a surprise appearance Tuesday morning at her husband’s sentencing at federal court in Richmond.
She showed up about 20 minutes after former Gov. Bob McDonnell (R), according to the Washington Post. Several reporters at the courthouse noted her unexpected arrival:
Maureen #McDonnell wasn’t expected to attend her husband’s sentencing today, but she just arrived at court.
— Kathy Hieatt (@kathymarievb) January 6, 2015
Maureen McDonnell’s lawyer had been sitting alone in the overflow courtroom when she arrived. Her attendance appears to be a surprise.
— Rosalind Helderman (@PostRoz) January 6, 2015
The couple have been living apart since their trial began last summer, and the proceedings revealed the crumbling of their marriage in sordid detail.
McDonnell’s sentencing on eight corruption convictions is scheduled for Feb. 20.