The Department of Justice is dismissing all charges against former Virginia governor Bob McDonnell.

In June, the Supreme Court overturned McDonnell’s corruption convictions, contending that the prosecutors – and jury – had stretched the legal definition of bribery and corruption beyond recognition.

“There is no doubt that this case is distasteful; it may be worse than that. But our concern is not with tawdry tales of Ferraris, Rolexes, and ball gowns. It is instead with the broader legal implications of the Government’s boundless interpretation of the federal bribery statute,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. “A more limited interpretation of the term ‘official act’ leaves ample room for prosecuting corruption, while comporting with the text of the statute and the precedent of this Court.”

Some conservatives are celebrating, but it’s a fine line. Yes, it’s likely prosecutors hunted down McDonnell in a way they never would against a Democratic lawmaker. Yes, they never demonstrated a precise connection between the quid and the quo.

But McDonnell’s personal willingness to help out a wealthy donor while in the governor’s mansion bewildered and troubled his own staff. His acceptance of more than $150,000 in gifts and loans from Jonnie Williams, the CEO of a nutritional supplement maker, should turn the stomach. If you’re a governor, and a wealthy guy keeps showering you and your wife with expensive gifts, and that doesn’t set off any alarm bells in your head, you’re either deluded or too naïve to hold office.

Virginia is really laid back about expensive gifts to the governor, as long as they’re disclosed. Probably too laid back.

In 2005, another governor accepted an $18,000 Caribbean vacation to Mustique — a “private island playground for rock stars and royalty.” In a single term – Virginia governors are limited to one term – that governor received $186,899 in gifts and travel – Redskins tickets, cases of wine, and other expensive demonstrations of generosity.

That governor’s name was… Tim Kaine. Hey, what’s he up to lately?