Mitt Romney Donates Cash For Former Gov. Bob McDonnell's Criminal Defense

Former Massachusetts governor and losing presidential candidate Mitt Romney has contributed $10,000 to help former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell fight criminal charges. 

The Associated Press reports that McDonnell's legal defense fund raised nearly $150,000 during the first quarter of this year, far short of the $1 million-plus the fund’s founder has said is needed.

McDonnell endorsed Romney prior to the South Carolina primary in for the GOP nomination for president.

In addition to Romney's donation, coal baron Richard Baxter Gilliam gave $50,000, the single biggest donation, the AP reported.

Most of the more than 40 reported donors gave in smaller amounts. A handful of donors were from out of state.

“It’s significant that a lot of Virginians and a lot of Americans are standing with Bob McDonnell during this difficult time,” said Jason Miyares, a spokesman for the legal defense fund.

The former Republican governor is charged with his wife, Maureen, in a 14-count indictment with accepting more than $165,000 from Jonnie Williams, the former CEO of dietary supplements maker Star Scientific Inc., in exchange for helping promote his products. Their trial is set to begin in July.