Businessman Jonnie Williams testified on Thursday during the corruption trial of Virginia ex-governor Robert McDonnell, saying he gifted the McDonnells with many things to promote his company but he did not grant all their requests.

Williams, the former boss of a nutraceutical firm, said he showered the McDonnells with gifts and loans in exchange for the promotion of his company. However, he denied a request to buy a car for their eldest daughter and another request by Maureen McDonnell, the governor's wife, to buy his Range Rover at a discount, Reuters reported.

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McDonnell, 60, and his wife allegedly received over US$165,000 worth of loans and gifts from Williams in exchange of promoting his firm, Star Scientific Inc. The court charged the couple with 14 counts of corruption and bribery.

The McDonnells now face jail time of more than 20 years plus a large fine if they are convicted. The couple maintains that there is no evidence they used their power to support Star Scientific.

Meanwhile, Star Scientific changed its name to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals.

Before the issue came to light, McDonnell was mentioned as one of the possible candidates for the 2016 presidential bid. The former Republican governor left office as he concluded his four-year term in January.

Williams said Maureen asked him to buy a Rolex watch worth US$7,000 for her husband. The timepiece was endorsed to a jury in Richmond to be examined on Thursday.

According to the businessman, the McDonnells' friends and family had no knowledge about the gifts and loans that he gave the couple because he did not want them to know he was using a politician's influence to boost his company.

Williams also said Maureen allowed him to use the governor's mansion for the launching of his company's flagship product, Anatabloc, in August 2011. The event, which the governor attended, never would have happened without the loans and gifts, Williams said during the trial.

Williams said he loaned US$50,000 to the couple, spent US$20,000 for Maureen's shopping spree in New York, and dropped US$15,000 for the reception of one of the McDonnells' daughters by the time the launch happened.

The corruption trial will resume on Friday for the cross-examination from the McDonnell's defense lawyers.

TagsJonnie Williams, Virginia, Robert McDonnell, Maureen McDonnell, Range Rover, Star Scientific Inc, Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, Rolex, Richmond, Anatabloc