[1]…and apparently at the behest of former-Governor Bob McDonnell. From Julian Walker at Pilot on Politics [2]:
Howell’s call, apparently made at McDonnell’s behest, went out as Virginia’s political class awaits a possible indictment against McDonnell in relation to a gift scandal which clouded the final year of his just completed term.
Messages left for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and a spokesman for McDonnell’s legal team were not immediately returned Saturday.
A spokesman for the U.S. Justice Department declined a request for comment in an e-mail.
Add to this the over $785,000 in legal fees racked up by McDonnell’s legal team, Attorney General Herring’s cutting off the spigot for new funds, and rumors heavily circulating that the federal grand jury will be meeting this week…
Keep your eyes on this one, folks. If McDonnell is asking for character witnesses such as Speaker Bill Howell, this investigation now takes a rather interesting turn.