The topic is public corruption. The context is the recent Supreme Court hearing on the 2014 corruption trial of former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife. And my respectful request is that you read to the end of this column prior to coming to judgment.

My opinion may be unique. Service in the state legislature, Congress, and as governor of Maryland makes it so. In fact, it is precisely my public service that has me concerned about United States vs. McDonnell — and what seems to be a prosecutorial enthusiasm for the criminalization of traditional constituent service — or — common gestures and acts performed by public officials.