bob mcdonnell got a gold rolex.here was a new york city shopping spree, including a suede jacket, a louis vuitton handbag, a nice designer dress for the first lady. there was a $10,000 catered chicken dinner. $7,000 worth of golf equipment and golf games for the governor and the boys. and lots, lots more, including multiple five-figure checks, made out to various mcdonnell's, under various auspices, all from the same businessman. all in all, we know of at least $165,000 in cash and prices that the governor and his family took from this one wealthy virginia businessman, just during the one term that bob mcdonnell has been governor. for months, federal prosecutors have been looking into whether governor mcdonnell took official action or implied that he might take official action to benefit the company in exchange for all that stuff. and for the entirety of that months-long investigation into that lucrative friendship between governor give me a rolex and the man who gave him a rolex, bob mcdonnell has maintained that h

>> reporter: the highwater marks for governor bob mcdonnell are clear, from its landslide win, mentioned as a possible vice president candidate and chosen to chair the 2012 gop convention's platform committee. last february, mcdonnell won passage of the signature achievement, the sweeping transportation funding bill. >> transportation was the issue that nobody thought could actually get passed in a substantive way to make a generational game change, and i think we got that done, so a couple of high fives after that. >> reporter: soon, the news of a scandal broke. for months, a federal investigation has been under way into gifts and loans given to the governor and his family by a political donor and ceo of a dietary supplement company. >> it tarnished his reputation. it did. people saw him as a straight shooter type, very ethical. what ultimately just happened was so outside the understanding of bob mcdonald, that so many people had. >> reporter: mcdonnell says he hopes his record will be judged by much more than the scientific

. >> bob mcdonnell is proposing new mental health initiatives, $28 million in additional funding for critical and mental health services and the creation of a task force to look at ways to head off what he calls a mental health crisis. the announcement comes less than a month after state senator, creigh deeds, was stabbed by his own son, gust. you know this story, gus killed himself. governor mcdonnell says he spoke to senator deeds since that attack. >> i assured him we have people that care deeply about him. we're a close knit family here in the legislature and looking over the last six, seven years, i think we have a deeper obligation to fix and address the resources for everyone. >> governor mcdonnell -- another example of how the

virginia governor bob mcdonnell today announcing some new mental health initiatives in the commonwealth of virginia. his successor applauding the efforts. this is really where a lot of the real change is going to happen, right, at the state and local level. what can you expect to see, what are you expecting to see and hoping to see on the state and local level? >> let me give you an idea how big a turnaround this is. between 2009 and 2012, it was -- mental health budgets at the state level were basically decimated, really gutted. more than $4 billion in cuts over that time period between 2009 and 2012. so this is playing a little bit of catch-up but also represents a huge turnaround. you are absolutely right because again, you can talk about parity all you want, you can talk about initiatives to reduce stigma, but unless people can get service they need, the mental health professionals are available, none of that really makes a difference to people who are suffering right now, and at the state level and local level is where you're going to see

bob mcdonnell has paid his price. >> he's paid his price.nd the thing about this is that this is really a state statute sdsh driv statute-driven offense. and the state statute actually kind of allows for this will to happen. >> it does allow to happen. >> which is the mistake. someone should change the law. because it is totally unseemly. >> and i would never do it. i'm sure your family would have never done it. i think this is totally unseemly. but to have the federal government prosecute a man and his wife for following basically what the virginia state law allows? i think is outrageous. >> i will say that i'm confused about the distinguishment between the fed and the state authorities and i grant you that. i think there is a law for the prosecutors to play. i know no grants were awarded, but he can set up meetings with state officials with this executive. i'm fine with people facilitating business, but i think there is a line that you have to be careful about seeing crossed. when you give do i natinationse you getting something in return.

story,other big prosecutors will likely charge governor bob mcdonnell and his wife a connection with gift giving. they couldn't wait until he is out of office. reactionberg has a tonight. >> since news of the scandal broke last spring, he has repeatedly denied any allegations of wrongdoing. last week after it was made clear he and his wife would be charged, lawyers came to washington and apparently made a strong argument. mcdonnell's giftgiving scandal does not sit no -- is not sit well with many virginians. >> it is morally wrong. i think that they are playing favoritism. he should be treated equally as an average citizen would. >> special treatment at the top. not going to bring charges against the governor. >> prosecutors may be allowing the mcdonald's to plead their case again or allow the governor to finish this term before taking action. have a responsibility to federalican people >> prosecutors told they would be charged in connection with the scandal involving jonnie williams. legal action was reportedly delayed after lawyers met with the deputy attorney general on december 1

company ceo became the center of scandal in the virginia governor's race, giving gifts and loans to bob mcdonnell and his family. gifts orreturned the donated the funds to charity. , a plane crash kills a woman with a prominent role in the debate over president obama's birth certificate. >> why police were not happy about the timing of the efforts to bring toys to children. >> a problem on the avo: the volkswagen "sign then drive" sales event is back. which means it's never been easier to get a new 2014 jetta. it gets an impressive 34 highway mpg and comes with no charge scheduled maintenance. and right now you can drive one home for practicly just your signature. sign. then drive. get zero due at signing, zero down, zero deposit, and zero first month's payment on any n new 24 volkswagen. hurry, this offer ends january 2nd. visit vwdealer.com today >> abc 7 news at 6:00 on your side. lastsa maybe now -- mission to the international space station until it finds out what is wrong with a cooling unit. the rue is not in danger. they powered down noncritical systems until it is fixed. >> it is an impo

this is the design governor bob mcdonnell unveiled.ed near the bottom of the plate in black letters with a red heart in place of the fee in lovers. in lovers. >> if you are looking to take a trip, amtrak is offering a special today. one-way tickets to d.c. $442 apiece. that is about half the normal -- $42 apiece. it is only available today. >> just 20 weeks -- two and a half weeks to go until christmas. home depot is making getting your christmas tree a little easier this year. they will deliver a seven foot tall fir tree to your front door until 8:00 tonight in the district. just download the app and request the hoover tree option. it will cost you 135 dollars, but comes with a tree, stand, and i think they even set it up. >> that is my kind of tree. okay, i need a better pizza. one made with only real cheese. and dough that rises naturally. with no chemical leaveners. a pizza with premium meats. and sauce made from only real tomatoes. a pizza my family will love. (announcer) freschetta naturally rising crust pizza. freschetta. made b

anybody on his behalf lobbied the justice department to delay an indictment of current governor bob mcdonnell. >> i will never and have not used my office to give my special benefits to any company, jonnie williams or star scientific or anybody else. >> reporter: mcdonnell has repeatedly said he did nothing wrong, but the washington post reports that the governor and his wife maureen would have been indicted this week, the charge? illegally promoting the dietary supplement company star scientific in exchange for more than $165,000 in gets and loans from its ceo, jonnie williams. now that possible indictment won't come until after mcauliffe is sworn in january 11th. >> my heart goes out to the mcdonnell family. i can only say that since election day governor mcdonnell and his entire team have been nothing but spectacular to my team. >> reporter: but if the reason to delay a grand jury hearing was to allow for a smooth transition, bcu political scientist dedra condit calls that special treatment. >> that allows perhaps an indictable offense to be prolonged i think speaks very poorly to the ques

outgoing virginia governor bob mcdonnell unveiled his final two-year budget this morning. the $96 billion package is nearly $10 billion larger than the previous budget. it includes funding increases for mental health, public education, and public safety. there are no tax increases or fees. the general assembly will vote on that budget during the 2014 session that begins on january 8. that is the same day mirin lawmakers -- maryland lawmakers return to work. they attended a legislative breakfast and montgomery county. candidates and the governor 's race participated. abc 7 maryland bureau chief moderator that, look for his report tonight. 10 days of mourning and remembrance for former south african president also mandela are now over. thousands of people, including reverend jesse jackson, and prince charles, attended the field service. south african president jacob zuma delivered the eulogy. >> it is the end of 95 glorious fighter, afreedom dedicated and humble servant of the people of south africa. >> mandela was buried with full military honors on a hillside in his hometo

. >>> outgoing governor bob mcdonnell's portrait will hang in the state capitol along the portrait oft virginia governors. mcdonnell has more than one month left in office before terry mcauliffe is sworn in. the portrait will be revealed tomorrow in richmond. >>> well, virginia is in need of judges. according to a report by the national center for state courts, virginia needs at least 30 at the circuit and juvenile level to keep up with the current caseload. the positions will most likely go unfulfilled for the time being seeing as it would cost the state $9 million a year. officials have said redrawing the district is not an option at this time. virginia lawmakers froze a number of judgeships in recent years, not filling vacancies when judges retired to save money. >>> a chance to get in the holiday spirit. the annual holiday stroll will happen in vienna along church street tonight between lawyers road and mill street. a stretch is closed today. you can enjoy food, hot chocolate and watch the lighting of the holiday tree. this happens tonight from 6:00 to 9:00. >>> the celebration co

. >> bob mcdonnell is proposing new mental health initiatives, $28 million in additional funding forcritical and mental health services and the creation of a task force to look at ways to head off what he calls a mental health crisis. the announcement comes less than a month after state senator, creigh deeds, was stabbed by his own son, gust. you know this story, gus killed himself. governor mcdonnell says he spoke to senator deeds since that attack. >> i assured him we have people that care deeply about him. we're a close knit family here in the legislature and looking over the last six, seven years, i think we have a deeper obligation to fix and address the resources for everyone. >> governor mcdonnell -- another example of how the commonwealth experienced tremendous heart ache as a result of mental health tragedy. >> that's a woman who will be leading the center for the first time. become the national cultural and performance center's new president next september. rutter is currently the head of the chicago symphony o tray and the chairman says she has a unique set of skills that

developing news in the case against bob mcdonnell. the washington post reports the governor and his wife were going to be charged in connection with the gift scandal but at last- minute appeal to laid the decision. his attorneys made a face-to- face appeal in washington. mcdonnell and his wife are accused of giving special treatment to a dietary supplement maker who is chief executive gave the couple luxury gifts. is not expected before january. >> new fallout from the edward snowden scandal. the man who exposed how the government may be spying on you now just days after a judge ruled that the nsa violates constitutional rights, the president wants to make some big changes. jay korff is live with a look at what this could mean for all of us. panel did not favorably on the administration's spy programs. the national security agency needs to do a better job balancing the security of the nation with the privacy of its designs. the task force made dozens of recommendations including calling on congress to ban the nsa's bulk collection of

governor bob mcdonnell directed the secretary to look into the matter after last month's attack on state senator creigh deeds. that lawmaker's son stabbed and wounded him, then committed suicide. hours before the attack the family tried to seek emergency psychiatric care for that young man. the health secretary's proposed changes would make it simpler for state run programs to deal with those sorts of mental health emergencies. >>> today president obama faced roarers for what could be the last time -- reporters for what could be the last time in 2013. the president answered question. s about the affordable care act, nsa spying -- questions about the affordable care act, nsa spying and legislative questions for 2014. >> reporter: president obama was pressed about the scope of government snooping and said he's looking at task force recommendations to limit some of the nsa's surveillance program. >> this is only going to work if the american people have confidence and trust. >> reporter: he defended his healthcare law on a day when the healthcare.gov website saw more outages. >> millions of

. >> bob mcdonnell is governor of virginia for only one more month. but before he leaves office, he is hoping to put in place a plan for boosting funding for higher education. the governor is proposing that the state has an extra $183 million over the next two years. that would be used for financial aid and to keep tuition increases at a minimum. >> first city manager is being remembered tonight. held that job for 15 years. her name is also on the animal welfare league of alexandria shelter. announcing her death and praising her tireless work on its behalf. vola was 79. >> tracking weather with an hour by hour forecast. wusa9's first alert weather. >> things seem to have settled down. they have. green alerts go. we can catch our breath through the weekend. we close schools here, you know, and sometimes the government closes down. it's snowing in the middle east. it's snowing in jordan. tomorrow and friday. prime minister declared tomorrow a holiday for snow. i like his thinking. >> maybe instead of saying we are shutting things down, a holiday for sno

. >> the washington post reports federal prosecutors told virginia governor bob mcdonnell last week thathe and his wife would be charged in connection with the gift scandal, but then top justice department officials put that prosecution on hold after a last minute appeal from mcdonnell's attorney. the post quote unnamed sources that claim mcdonnell and his wife would have been charged with working together to illegally promote a struggling dietary supplement company in exchange for gifts and loans from its chief executive. they say it could have happened this past monday. >> but now prosecutors might not charge them at all and a final decision on the matter may not come until february. mcdonnell has apologized for the relationship with the star scientific company and its ceo jonnie williams but insisted he treated star as he would any other virginia-based business. that company received no state grants, contracts or board appointments according to the post tonight. >>> the other big story tonight, the budget. nine republicans got together with senate democrats to pass a modest budget bil

. >>> governor bob mcdonnell is off the hook. he was removed from a case challenging the commonwealth's ban on same-sex marriage but the lawsuit can continue against the state registrar of vital records and -- [indiscernible] two couples challenged the ban as being unconstitutional. >>> there was a lot of pushing and shoving on the field during the redskins-cowboys game. what about the pushing in the stands. this is video that sparked an investigation by the team. it appears a redskins fan wearing a, quote, dallas sign or t-shirt is pushed down cotencre steps by security or did the security guard grab the fan's arm before the man luhed forward? it's unknown if alcohol was a factor. we just don't know what happened just before the video wakes tan. redskins spokesperson tony wiley says the incident is under review. >>> how about an early christmas present for hundreds of kids in d.c.? that's the case. council member marion barry hosted a toy giveaway for 200 children in ward 8. he says the need is great and there are a lot of famil

anybody on his behalf lobbied the justice department to delay an indictment of current governor bob mcdonnell, but the washington post reports that the governor and his wife would have been indicted this week. >> some arctic air across the northern plains states, but it stays locked up there and we continue with a strong southwesterly flow through the weekend. >> a new report says the fake interpreter at nelson mandela's memorial service has been committed to a psychiatric hospital. it caused an uproar earlier this month when deaf groups called him an imposter and said his gestures were meaningless. the day after he blamed his bizarre sign language on schizophrenia. >>> in addition to checking off everything on your holiday list, you may need to check your bank and credit card statements right away. 40million target shoppers could have had information stolen, one in eight people. tonight the secret service is trying to figure out who is behind it. somebody broke into the company's computer system. when shoppers swiped their cards, the hackers got their names,mb nuers, expiration dates and sec

. >> virginia governor bob mcdonnell is proposing new mental health initiatives.ay he announced $38 million in additional funding for critical and mental health services. >> i think we just have a deeper obligation to try to fix and address and put resources into the system. >> there is now a woman who will be leading the kennedy center for the very first time. debra rudder will become the national cultural and performance center's new president. she is currently head of the chicago symphony orchestra. >> the picture of the day is a selfy taken by the president of the united states. here he is posing with prime minister david cameron of the united kingdom and of denmark. the photos seem to fit right in with the spirit of the day. >>> today marked the first in several public events to honor madiba, the heart of south africa. >> nearly 100 heads of state attended the memorial to nelson mandela at the soweto soccer stadium and a steady rain did not damper the celebration of his life. >> i think it's the time to say thank you and letting go. >> he speaks to what's bes

governor bob mcdonnell are posing a performance bonus for state employees. it is up to three percent, next year.efore that's a performance and savings at the end of the fiscal year. apparently now is the best time to i a car. -- buy a car. as 2014 models are coming in, they need to clear their inventory. car dealerships need to pay interest on the money borrowed to buy those cars in the first place. they are anxious to sell them quickly. the salespeople are under a little bit of pressure to meet year-endr-and -- targets. present ideas. >> i like the idea of keys in my stocking. a high school student is on a year of suspension because of hugging a teacher. graduate on time. he hugged her and turned as she pushes him away. >> he is a senior. he plays football, he is getting ready for lacrosse season, and viewers -- and you are stripping him of the opportunity to get a full scholarship for college. that hisacher says lips and cheech -- cheek touched her neck. >> you can hug a panda cub, but you would have to travel overseas. a facility in china is allowing in t

governor bob mcdonnell is talking about what's driving the changes in his budget proposal. he says on the radio today, the issues took on greater urgency after the incident happening to creigh deeds. it happened the morning after the younger deeds went under a psychiatric evaluation and was turned away. >> we are doing this because it's a tight knit community. when you have a loss in the family like senator deeds, it affects everybody. it's going back to virginia tech and before. it's the nature of mental health and such. if things are not properly managed, there's opportunity for unfortunate outcomes. >> mcdonnell's new budget adds $38 million for how to state serves people experiencing a mental health issue. >>> the showdown over the fbis headquarters is entering a new stage. tracee wilkins is live in d.c. where the decision over fbi sites in maryland and virginia will be made. >> reporter: yes, this is where they are going to make that decision and we don't know all of the sites that have been submitted. what we do know is that two locations have been made very public. r

. >>> a first look at the official port rat of the outgoing virginia governor bob mcdonnell. nk donnell has more than one month left in office before governor-elect terry mcauliffe is sworn in. the portrait will be revealed tomorrow evening in richmond. >>> the annual holiday stroll will happen later today in vienna. it will happen between lawyers road and mill street. to set up for the big event that stretch is closed today. you can watch the lighting of the town's holiday tree. this happens tonight from 6:00 to 9:00. the celebration of hanukkah continues as the jewish community around the world will light the candle marking the sixth night. dozens of people came out to late a menorah. the jewish population in d.c., maryland and virginia has been on the rise over the last few years. and the votes are in. the national zoo's new panda cub has a name. >> it is bao bao. it means treasure or precious. it was trending on twitter. more than 123,000 people voted online to pick the cub's name and dozens lined up early to get a good spot for the big reveal. we wanted to celebrate and

governor bob mcdonnell submitted it this morning. the plan is about $10 billion more than the current budget. the additional spending goes toward mental health and safety initiatives and includes money for the state's rainy day fund. no new taxes or fees in it. he consulted with terry mcauliffe before submitting the plan. >>> set to expand into the residential areas. the residents get to weigh in on it. the association in georgetown will take proposals from the residents to have cameras installed on certain blocks in exchange for getting that camera, the association and the residents of the block would split the cost of it. the cameras wouldn't be monitored live, but could be assessed in the event of a crime. >>> bicycling is growing every day from casual riders to people who commute 20 miles or more to work. some say the city's efforts to promotorcycling are not as aggressive as thesy should be. tom? >> could they be doing more? for cyclists in the nation's capitol the last ten years, the city has become one of the most bike friendl

. >>> seeking an indictment against virginia governor bob mcdonnell. >> prosecutors told mcdonnell and his wife they would be charged in connection with the scandal involving businessman johnny williams. they are looking into whether they worked together to promote a struggling dietary supplement company in exchange for money and gifts. the company is run by williams. a meeting between mcdonnell's lawyers and the justice department prompted them to wait until january before asking them to return an indictment the day before the lawyers asked for the delay, news 4 asked the governor if he was convinced -- if he had convinced them he had done nothing wrong. >> that's a choice they have to make. you know, i know in my heart and i know from analyzing the law, i have not violated any state or federal laws. i have tried diligently to follow the laws and i rest in that assurance. >> mcdonnell said he did nothing illegal in his relationship with johnny williams. >>> after two weeks of below average temperatures, we are finally moving out of the freezer. >> yeah, here is a look at the people en

governor bob mcdonnell is calling for the creation of a new task force that would focus on mental health issues. all this in response to the death of the son of state senator, creigh deeds. investigators say gus deeds stabbed his father and committed suicide less than a day after he was released from emergency custody. mcdonnell >>> vice president joe biden is pledging $100 million for mental health funding as we approach the first anniversary of the newtown shootings. he'll meet with victim relatives today. after the shooting at sandy hook elementary, biden's task force said it was important. twenty children and six adults were killed in the massacre last december. >>> accused of sending ricin letters agreed to a plea deal. expected to get no more than 18 years in prison. prosecutors say the 35-year-old texas mother sent the letters to both the president and new york city mayor, michael bloomberg. they say richardson tried to frame her ex-husband after he filed for divorce. >>> someone could be tracking your cell phone and it's not the nsa. it is the police. we're going to show you how

. >>> a virginia judge has removed governor bob mcdonnell as the defendant in a lawsuit challenging the commonwealth's ban on same-sex marriage. but he says the case can continue against the state registrar of vital records in a stanton circuit court clerk. two couples have challenged virginia's ban on gay marriage claiming it violates the equal protection and due process clauses of the u.s. constitution. >>> it is 5:06. time for the latest your money report. jess is off. we have the numbers though. the rally on wall street appears to be spreading. this morning tokyo's nikkei exchange closed at a six-year high. most other exchanges finished their day in positive territory as well and early signs from europe also look good. checking the numbers here at home, another record breaking day. the dow picked up 73 points finishing at 16294. the s&p 500 is up 9. the nasdaq will start the day today up by 44. u.s. markets will close early today and will not be open again until thursday, closed for christmas of course. >>> target says the justice department is investigating the massive security bre

. >>> it looks like at least one of virginia governor bob mcdonnell's legal concerns is going away. he's been removed from a lawsuit challenging the commonwealth's ban on same-sex marriage. a judge ruled the case can continue, though, against the state registrar of vital records and a staunton circuit court clerk. two couples are challenging the state's ban as being unconstitutional. >>> it is time for the first your money segment at this hour at 6:04. here of the day's financial headlines. target is doing damage control after hackers stole the credit and debit card information of some 40 million target customers. the big box store released a statement saying it reached out to states attorney generals across the country. they were put in contact with target's general counsel. they are also working with the secret service and justice department. some business analysts say target isn't doing enough publicly to preserve its image and could take a huge hit during the first quarter of the new year. >>> a former tiffany&company executive is heading to prison for stealing and reselling mil

now governor bob mcdonnell is making good on his promise to improve meantal health care with a proposal to infuse more than $38 million into the system over the next several years. >>> vice president joe biden announced $100 million will become available for community mental health care services across the country. >>> still ahead, the winter storm that ended with a bang. we'll show you more of this dramatic damage that left one car owner heartbroken. >> reporter: i'm liz crenshaw, the snow has stopped, but what are the laws when it comes to shoveling your sidewalk? my story is coming up. >>> our snow meant a day off for many in the area, but everybody stayed cooped up at home today. >> some slushed through the cold and the snow to the national mall. that's where we find news 4's tom sherwood who slushed there as well. hey, tom. >> reporter: there wasn't that much slush. the smithsonian is part of the federal government, but it didn't shut down today. a few of us had it all to ourselves. >> reporter: foot traffic was light at many smithsonian museums. >> then we have the 747 over here.

regina, once touted as a fossil candidate, his final year was solely by scandal scandal.d by bob donnell -- mcdonnell listed as a loser this year, as well as anthony weiner. part of the time magazine article. caller, arthur. caller: hi. the vast majority of the market people are the biggest losers in their made up of the registered voters that do not vote, people who are not registered by people who are registered as eithercans or democrats, one. not independent and not people who do not pay attention. that is what forms the biggest group which is the biggest loser. host: and bill, from mobile alabama. you are our last call. caller: the biggest losers are congress, nots in congress as a whole, but the republicans in congress have been gradual of structures. a lot of obama's problems resided in the way the republicans have interacted with the democratic colleagues. if they had been more helpful, and more constructionist them and more willing to improve the affordable care act, if they had been part of the process, many of these problems would not have occurred. this was chooses the beginning of the ob