Too bad that former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife didn’t pay attention to staff members who tried — and failed — to keep the couple out of trouble with its questionable involvement with diet king Jonnie Williams.

“I can’t recall there ever was situation quite like this one,” Virginia Health and Human Resources Secretary said of his multiple attempts to get state support and testing for Williams’ “Anatabloc” drug.  Hazel and other aides kept sidetracking Williams’ attempts at access.

Williams lavished gifts and loans on Williams and his wife and while the governor and first lady appeared ready to give Williams the access he needed, the professional staff members were not so willing.

Williams, experts say, succeeded in establishing a “stream of things of value” with the McDonnells and some of those things were kept from staff members.

The trial continues in Richmond on Monday.