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McDonnell’s legal team bills taxpayers $90,000 for June

It has now cost nearly $144,000 to represent the governor in the executive chef embezzlement case.

Bob McDonnell

Olympia Meola | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Friday, September 6, 2013

Gov. Bob McDonnell’s state-appointed legal team has billed the state $90,068 for work performed in June.

That brings the tab for taxpayers to about $143,598, including an initial $53,530 that the firm billed for the services of former Attorney General Anthony Troy and other staffers from Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli appointed Troy to represent McDonnell in legal matters related to a criminal case alleging embezzlement by the former chef at the Executive Mansion.

The appointment, effective April 26, was made necessary by a conflict in the case of the former chef, Todd Schneider, notes an appointment letter from Cuccinelli’s office to Troy.

The two invoices for services through June 30 cover work regarding the office of the governor, for $72,110.02, and the other regarding McDonnell in his official capacity, for $17,958.12.

As on the first invoices, details on the latest bills, obtained through the governor’s office, were redacted in part. They show the total amount billed and a time summary indicating how many attorneys billed hours and at what rate.

Troy, among six Eckert Seamans attorneys billing $250 an hour for work, said Wednesday that the invoices cover “a number of factors,” including FOIA requests.

The attorney general’s office directed Troy to provide detailed statements that will permit “thorough monitoring of legal services” and a description of the work performed on a daily basis.

McDonnell is facing state and federal investigations relating to gifts he received from Jonnie Williams , a wealthy donor and the CEO of Henrico County-based Star Scientific.

In May, a Richmond Circuit Court judge granted Cuccinelli’s office permission to withdraw from prosecuting the Schneider case. The attorney general’s office said it faced conflicts because it could be forced to cross-examine witnesses that it technically represents.

Schneider, who worked at the Executive Mansion from 2010 to early 2012, is charged with theft of food and supplies from the mansion. He has maintained that he was told to take food in lieu of payment for catering services he provided at numerous private and political events given by the McDonnells.

Troy is to represent McDonnell “for matters related to, or arising from, this case and any other related matters,” according to the appointment letter.

Schneider’s attorneys unsuccessfully sought for the charges to be dismissed.

Saturday, September 14, 2013