A How-Not-To Manual for Working Politicians Former Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia and his wife, Maureen, were accused Tuesday of taking more than $160,000 in loans and gifts in a quid-pro-quo relationship with a favored campaign donor, Jonnie R. Williams, Sr. The couple denied the charges and the courts will ultimately settle the accusation of criminality. Still, the federal indictment, with its glittery descriptions, reads as a How-Not-To manual for working politicians. The First Couple face charges of accepting loans, clothing, jewelry, golf outings and free use of Mr. Williams" lakefront home, Ferrari sports car included. If convicted, the indictment says the McDonnells must forfeit black and white Louis Vuitton shoes, two gold Oscar de la Renta dresses, a blue Giorgio Armani jacket and two matching dresses, two sets of golf clubs, two pairs of Foot Joy golf shoes, a striped Peter Millar golf shirt and a silver Rolex inscribed "71st Governor of Virginia." These are the sorts of details that catch the public's eye - and ensnare the politicians working in the nation's lobbying-rich statehouses, where symbiosis is the coin of the realm. The Washington Post initially reported how the McDonnells repeatedly promoted Mr. Williams" business interests on the statehouse stage, while he, in turn, offered to underwrite catering costs at their daughter's wedding and provide $100,000 worth of free flights on the company plane. The McDonnells were over extended in owning three homes and needed help, according to prosecutors, and Mr. Williams obliged. Mr. McDonnell left office insisting he never broke the law, but promising to return the gifts, anyway. Whatever lessons are offered in the collapse of this once promising political career, the Virginia legislature should be first to acknowledge them in its new session. For now, though, no one is betting on credible ethics reform.