washington former virginia governor robert mcdonnell contend supreme court agree prosecutors broad view bribery law allow corruption convictions stand would make politician ordinary interactions donors crime upend u.s. political process eight justices hear arguments wednesday appeal mcdonnell former rise star republican party 2014 conviction arise gift businessman seek promote dietary supplement final case hear term end june legal question concern whether mcdonnell conduct constitute official action exchange thing value require conviction federal bribery law lawyers contend merely arrange meet ask question attend events type activities politicians routinely perform exchange campaign contributions case mark first time history public official convict corruption despite never agree put thumb scale government decision lead lawyer noel francisco tell justices legal paper officials routinely arrange meet donors take call politely listen ideas refer aid criminalize everyday act government put every federal state local official nationwide prosecutorial crosshairs francisco add court paper u.s. solicitor general donald verrilli say justices past carefully distinguish general ingratiation politician donor quid pro quo exchange example governor demand 1,000 contribution price official meet issue arise bribe case personal loan luxury goods campaign contributions verrilli say mcdonnell former rise star republican party wife maureen convict 2014 take 177,000 gift loan virginia businessman jonnie williams mcdonnell sentence two years prison yet serve trial prosecutors detail lavish lifestyle mcdonnells enjoy thank gift sweetheart loan williams include vacation designer clothe shoe richmond-based 4th u.s. circuit court appeal uphold mcdonnell conviction last year concern low court definition official act anything mean end ... fair game prosecution say former prosecutor david debold white collar crime defense lawyer gibson dunn crutcher law firm tara malloy lawyer campaign legal center campaign finance law watchdog group say convict politician prosecutors must prove explicit corrupt agreement defendant agree something return money malloy say factor routine campaign contributions malloy add virginia ex-governor take corruption appeal u.s. top court