Will Maureen G. McDonnell be the first former first lady of Virginia to be sentenced to prison?

U.S. District Court Judge James R. Spencer will determine that Friday, Feb. 20, when Mrs. McDonnell appears before him for sentencing in the federal corruption case that has gained the national spotlight.

She and her husband, former Gov. Bob McDonnell, were convicted in September for taking gifts and loans of more than $177,000 from former Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams Sr. in exchange for access to the Executive Man- sion and state officials to promote his dietary supplement Anatabloc.

Mrs. McDonnell was convicted on nine felony counts, but one was later dismissed.

In early January, Judge Spencer sentenced Mr. McDonnell, who was convicted on 11 corruption charges, to two years in federal prison and two years of supervised probation after his release.

The former governor was scheduled to report to prison Feb. 9, but the U.S. 4th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Mr. McDonnell can remain free on bond while he appeals his conviction.

Mr. McDonnell is the state’s first former chief executive to be convicted of a felony and sentenced to prison.

Mrs. McDonnell’s sentencing hearing begins 9 a.m. in room 7000 in the federal courthouse in Downtown. Courtroom doors are to open at 8:15 a.m. and an overflow room with a video feed also will be open on the sixth floor.

Prosecutors have recommended Mrs. McDonnell be sentenced to 18 months in federal prison, a recommendation falling on the lower end of federal guidelines.

They have argued she deserves prison time because she “was a full participant in the bribery scheme” and that she “repeatedly attempted to thwart the investigation through false representations.”

Mrs. McDonnell’s lawyers have argued that she should be sentenced to probation and made to perform 4,000 hours of community service.