Dave Sweet

WMAL.com

Bob McDonnell continues to fend off jail time.

Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts ordered federal prosecutors to respond by Wednesday to the former Virginia Governor’s plea to stay out of jail while he appeals corruption charges. Roberts will either handle the case himself or refer it to the entire Court should he find it necessary .

The order follows a decision last week by the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals that denied McDonnell’s plea to remain free during the appeal process.

McDonell and his wife Maureen were found guilty in September of accepting more than $170,000 from a Virginia business called Star Scientific in exchange for special access to government personnel and promotional support.

(Photo: CNN)