text: Former Virginia first lady Maureen McDonnell who has been found guilty of corruption now says she did not receive a fair trial. Her attorneys argued Monday in a 101-page court filing that Mrs McDonnell's public corruption conviction should be overturned because it was based on an overly broad definition of bribery. McDonnell and her husband, former Gov. Bob McDonnell, were convicted in a joint trial in September of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams in exchange for promoting his company's nutritional supplements. Scroll down for video . Last-ditch effort: Former Virginia first lady (pictured in February) Maureen McDonnell's attorneys argued that her public corruption conviction should be overturned because it was based on an overly broad definition of bribery . Downfall: McDonnell, pictured in February, and her husband, former Gov. Bob McDonnell, were convicted in a joint trial in September of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans from former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams . Among the gifts were almost $20,000 worth of designer clothing and accessories for Maureen McDonnell, vacations, golf outings and $15,000 for a daughter's wedding. Bob McDonnell was sentenced in February to two years in prison and his wife to one year and one day, but they remain free while they pursue separate appeals. Maureen McDonnell's legal team argued that her trial was unfair due a number of mistakes made by the presiding federal district court judge. The lawyers stated in their brief that 'at the very least,' Maureen McDonnell should be granted a new trial. Maureen McDonnell was a onetime Washington Redskins cheerleader who was known for her work with military families. Her father was in the Marines and her husband was in the Army. Bob McDonnell was a former state attorney general who became chairman of the Republican Governors Association and he was widely considered a possible Mitt Romney running mate before the scandal broke. A six-week jury trial exposed details of the McDonnells' strained marriage, and detailed the loans and gifts they took from Williams. 'How can a person become so bedazzled by material possessions that she can no longer see the difference between what's appropriate and inappropriate,' Spencer said. Fighting back tears, Maureen McDonnell apologized to her family and Virginians. Disgraced: Bob McDonnell, pictured outside US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia in January, was sentenced in February to two years in prison . Lawyers for both Bob McDonnell and his wife argued in separate briefs that the favors he did for Williams did not amount to 'official acts' covered by federal bribery law . 'I would ask in your sentence today that you consider the punishment I've already received,' she said. 'My marriage is broken, my family is hurting and my reputation is in shatters.' At Bob McDonnell's sentencing, Judge James Spencer described Williams — who testified under immunity for the prosecution — as a 'serpent' that Maureen let into the Executive Mansion. Maureen McDonnell, who according to her lawyer had developed a 'crush' on Williams, said Spencer was right. 'The venom from that snake has poisoned my marriage, has poisoned my family and has poisoned the commonwealth that I love,' she said. 'I opened the door, and I blame no one but myself.' Lawyers for both Bob McDonnell and his wife argued in separate briefs that the favors he did for Williams did not amount to 'official acts' covered by federal bribery law. According to Maureen McDonnell's appeal, Judge Spencer gave the jury an overly broad definition of 'official act,' and in what her lawyers described as an 'Orwellian moment,' the prosecution extended it to the governor's wife to prove conspiracy between the spouses, even though she was never a government official, reported the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Her sentence was less than the 18 months sought by prosecutors. Defense attorneys had asked for probation and 4,000 hours of community service.
target: Maureen McDonnell's attorneys argued her corruption conviction should be overturned because it was based on overly broad definition of bribery .
  McDonnells were convicted in a joint trial in September of accepting more than $165,000 in gifts and loans .
  Bob McDonnell was sentenced in February to two years in prison and his wife to one year and one day .