The former governor of Virginia, Bob McDonnell, is accused of federal corruption while in office. Behind these charges is his wife, Maureen McDonnell. She is the one accused of taking almost $165,000 in loans and luxury goods from Jonnie Williams Sr., who was CEO at the time of Star Scientific.

This scandal brings to light the life of the political spouses. Mrs. McDonnell is not the only spouse to grab the media’s attention with taking bribes or seeking financial help from an individual aiming to gain a favor from her or his husband or wife. Williams received this favor by getting a seat next to the governor at a fundraiser and receiving attention for his newest products.

Spouses of any government official can arguably be just as important in gaining favors from officials. In 2007, a ban was put on lobbyists giving gifts to those in a government position.

The question becomes how far should that ban stretch. It covers the person in power but should it cover his or her family as well? The former governor has to answer the same as Mrs. McDonnell, but more attention seems to fall on him. He will face charges along with his wife for their alleged actions.

Spouses need to answer just like any other official. Their actions are seen in the public eye whether they want them to be or not because they are as much a part of the political game.

Lobbyists and others seeking favors from governors could easily get around the rules by going to the next most powerful influence, their spouses. Williams did just that, starting the night that Mr. McDonnell was sworn in as governor. He offered to buy the wife a designer dress to wear. The aide to Mr. McDonnell told her that she should decline, which she did. Later, on Mrs. McDonnell asked Williams to take her on a shopping trip to New York City.

This is clearly an abuse of power by Mrs. McDonnell’s part. She was aware that she should not be taking gifts from Williams. The aide even told her. It appears from the beginning that she was aware she could get what she wanted with little regard to how it could affect her husband’s political career. Like others in the life of politics, her actions showed

 Her reasoning for all her actions was just as appalling. Mrs. McDonnell claimed they were living below their means. The family was an average middle class family. Instead of dealing with financial trouble like the rest of America, she thought she could bend the rules to get help from Williams.

It was not as if the family lived in poverty because Mr. McDonnell earned $175,000 a year, which is considered a lot of money for a governor. Stating that they were living below their means only shows how little Mrs. McDonnell knew of the real struggle of the average family in her own state. Her reality is much different from the rest of America’s.

The indictment issued includes Mrs. McDonnell and her husband because he had previous knowledge of her actions. Mrs. McDonnell forwent the plea bargain that would have included a deal for her not to be charged. Now she will have to face a judge and stand up for her actions.

The indictment issued includes Mrs. McDonnell and her husband because he had previous knowledge of her actions. Mrs. McDonnell forwent the plea bargain that would have included a deal for her not to be charged. Now she will have to face a judge and stand up for her actions.

While justice might finally be done, the late reaction, which delayed repercussions, shows how highly one places officials above the law. The aide knew that she was offered gifts from the beginning and from then she should have been watched more closely.

The family members of the government officials need to be just as watchful of their actions as the governor, whether they like it or not, because they are under the same pressure from lobbyists.