Unflattering Portrait of Ex-Va. First Lady Emerges

RICHMOND, Va. — The corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, has already had plenty of embarrassing moments for the onetime first lady.

She’s been portrayed by former aides as a screaming tyrant. One acknowledged calling her a “nutbag.”

And her own attorney said she had a crush on the wealthy businessman who, according to prosecutors, lavished the McDonnells with thousands of dollars in gifts and loans in exchange for promoting his company’s products.

As bad as it has been for the first lady, it could get even worse. Defense attorneys have largely been responsible for the portrait that has emerged in the McDonnells’ corruption trial, and they are expected to call other former Maureen McDonnell aides to the stand after they begin presenting their case Monday.

More From Virginia

• Woman Riding on Mattress on Top of Van Falls, is Killed
• Ex-Lawyer Pleads Guilty in Brutal Attack of McLean Couple
• Arlington County Sets Tourism Spending Record with $3 Billion
• Libertarian Gary Johnson Earns Endorsement From Major Va. Newspaper

(© Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)