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McDONNELL v. U.S. Case Brief
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Case Brief Summary & Legal Analysis
tl;dr: The Supreme Court overturned former Virginia Governor McDonnell’s bribery conviction, finding the jury was given an overly broad definition of “official act.” The Court held that routine political courtesies, like arranging meetings, do not by themselves constitute the quo required for a quid pro quo.
Legal Significance: This case significantly narrowed the definition of “official act” for federal bribery prosecutions. It requires a formal, focused governmental decision or action, not just arranging meetings or hosting events, thereby protecting routine constituent services from criminalization and raising the bar for prosecutors.
McDONNELL v. U.S. Law School Study Guide
Use this case brief structure for your own legal analysis. Focus on the IRAC methodology to excel in law school exams and cold calls.
Case Facts & Court Holding
Key Facts & Case Background
Former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell and his wife accepted over $175,000 in loans and gifts from Jonnie Williams, a businessman seeking state support for his company’s nutritional supplement, Anatabloc. Williams wanted Virginia’s public universities to conduct research studies on the product. In exchange for the financial benefits, Governor McDonnell performed several actions: he arranged meetings for Williams with state officials, hosted events for Williams’s company at the Governor’s Mansion, and contacted officials about the potential for studies. For instance, McDonnell asked his Secretary of Health and Human Resources to meet with Williams and later suggested to other officials that Anatabloc would be beneficial for state employees. The federal government prosecuted McDonnell for honest services fraud and Hobbs Act extortion, alleging these actions were “official acts” performed as part of a quid pro quo bribery scheme. The trial court instructed the jury that an “official act” could include any act a public official customarily performs, such as arranging meetings or hosting events. Based on this broad definition, the jury convicted McDonnell.
Court Holding & Legal Precedent
Issue: Does the term “official act” under the federal bribery statute, 18 U.S.C. § 201(a)(3), encompass routine political activities such as arranging a meeting, contacting another official, or hosting an event?
No. The Court held that merely arranging meetings, making calls, or hosting Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in v
IRAC Legal Analysis
Complete IRAC Analysis for Higher Grades
IRAC (Issue, Rule, Analysis, Conclusion) is the exact format professors want to see in your exam answers. Our exclusive Flash-to-Full briefs combine holding, analysis, and rule statements formatted to match what A+ students produce in exams. These structured briefs help reinforce the essential legal reasoning patterns expected in law school.
Legal Issue
Does the term “official act” under the federal bribery statute, 18 U.S.C. § 201(a)(3), encompass routine political activities such as arranging a meeting, contacting another official, or hosting an event?
Conclusion
This decision significantly raises the evidentiary bar for federal prosecutors in public Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris n
Legal Rule
An "official act" under 18 U.S.C. § 201(a)(3) is a decision or Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in repre
Legal Analysis
In a unanimous opinion, the Court performed a textual analysis of 18 Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex e
Flash-to-Full Case Opinions
Flash Summary
- The Court narrowly defined an “official act” in federal bribery law.
