Story highlights Bob McDonnell's conviction on corruption charges was overturned by the Supreme Court

Federal prosecutors said they will not retry the former Virginia governor and his wife

Washington (CNN) Federal prosecutors announced Thursday they won't retry former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell or his wife Maureen on public corruption charges.

McDonnell, once a rising star in Republican circles, was convicted on federal corruption charges in 2014 and sentenced to two years in prison. He remained free pending appeal, and this spring, the Supreme Court unanimously threw out his conviction, although the justices left open the possibility of a retrial.

In a motion filed with a federal appeals court, US Attorney Dana Boente said the United States planned to file a "motion to dismiss the indictment."

"Today is a great day in which my family and I rejoice. More than 3 1/2 years after learning of an investigation, the final day of vindication has arrived," McDonnell said in a statement. "Throughout this ordeal I have strongly proclaimed my innocence. I would never do, nor consider doing, anything that would violate the trust of the citizens of Virginia I served during 22 years in state elected office. These wrongful convictions were based on a false narrative and incorrect law."

McDonnell's case centered around the question of what constitutes the scope of an "official action" under federal corruption law. He received gifts, money and loans from Jonnie R. Williams, the CEO of a Virginia-based company, the government said, in exchange for official acts seen as favorable to Williams and his business.

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