A little history:
Marvin Mandel, Governor of Maryland, convicted of 17 counts of mail fraud (and racketeering), 'handed the reins of government over to his Lieutenant Governor, Blair Lee III, while his appeals were pending'. All convictions were overturned on appeal, he stepped back into office just days before the end of his term, and retired with full benefits and pension...
Think history might repeat itself, here?
Is there a pattern yet?