Va. governor balks at discussing investigation

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell held his tongue in a trans-oceanic press conference Thursday about the criminal investigation into Executive Mansion operations that resulted in criminal charges against the mansion's former chef.

The governor, Commerce and Trade Secretary Jim Cheng and Agriculture and Forestry Secretary Todd Haymore addressed reporters from Tokyo on the final day of his Asian trade mission.

After recapping deals with China and Japan, McDonnell was asked about the criminal probe of former mansion chef Todd Schneider and a defense motion Tuesday seeking information about whether his family took provisions from the mansion kitchen or told Schneider to take state-purchased mansion grocery as pay for his services.

"Well, there is a lot I'd like to say about that," said McDonnell, who has been overseas while some of the most damaging developments surfaced. "But there's a pending criminal case. These are allegations made by a defendant in a criminal case. I believe the prosecutors in that case will handle that case well, and I'd refer any questions on that to them."

Schneider is scheduled for trial in July in an investigation that began in the spring of 2012 into kitchen operations at the mansion that has been home to Virginia's governors and their families for 200 years.