Virginia governor scandal worsens

The scandal surrounding Virginia Governor Robert F. McDonnell is getting more serious, with reports that he received a luxury Rolex watch from a prominent political donor.

Jonnie R. Williams Sr., who is the chief executive of dietary supplement manufacturer Star Scientific and the person who paid for catering at the wedding of the governor’s daughter, purchased the $6,500 watch in August 2011 for McDonnell, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the gift.

A federal investigation is already launched into the relationship between the donor and the governor.

Williams gave the watch two weeks after he met with a top state health official to pitch the benefits of his company’s health products, the report said.

The Rolex is among expensive undisclosed gifts given to the governor and his family, according to the report.

Since taking office in 2010, McDonnell has disclosed receiving nearly $10,000 in personal gifts from Williams, whose company contributed around $110,000 to the governor’s campaign and his political-action committee, the Post said.

Federal investigators have been probing the gifts the McDonnell’s have received over that past few years. His daughter, according to the investigation, was given a $15,000 check for her wedding.

Virginia law requires that elected officials, including the governor, disclose gifts they receive of a value of $50 and more. But they are not obliged to disclose gifts given to family members or received from personal friends.

The probe is also seeking if McDonnell has taken official action on behalf of those who gave gifts to him and his family.

Critics say McDonnell has used taxpayer money for a variety of personal items they should have paid for themselves under state law.