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 In a brief unsigned order, the court said McDonnell, who was
governor from 2010 until 2014, would not have to report to prison
until he completes the appeals process.
Last week, Chief Justice John Roberts gave McDonnell a temporary
reprieve while the court awaited the government's response to his
application. McDonnell's lawyers are now expected to ask the high
court to hear his full appeal.
The Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had
rejected McDonnell's initial request to stay out of prison. The same
court upheld McDonnell's conviction in a July ruling.
 McDonnell, once a rising star in the Republican Party, and his wife,
Maureen, were convicted in September 2014 of taking $177,000 in
gifts and loans from businessman Jonnie Williams in exchange for
promoting one of his company's dietary supplements.
U.S. District Court Judge James Spencer sentenced McDonnell to two
years in prison. He has remained free pending the outcome of his
appeal.
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Lawyers for McDonnell, the first Virginia governor to be convicted
on criminal charges, had argued that he did not represent a flight
risk or threat to public safety and thus did not need to be
imprisoned.
(Reporting by Lawrence Hurley; Editing by Sandra Maler)
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