RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has no legal right to see the instructions that were given to a grand jury that indicted him on corruption charges.

Monday's filing comes in response to a strongly worded motion by McDonnell that questioned the validity of the charges against him and his wife, Maureen.

In court papers filed in Richmond, prosecutors say McDonnell's lawyers used a motion for disclosure of the instructions "as a public forum to castigate the government" without stating any legal basis for lifting the secrecy that normally applies to grand jury proceedings.

The McDonnells are accused of accepting thousands of dollars in gifts from the former CEO of a dietary supplements company in exchange for promoting his products. Their trial has been set for July.


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