Rolex passed among jurors in ex-Va. gov trial
By ALAN SUDERMAN and LARRY O'DELL, Associated Press
Jul 31, 2014 10:06 AM CDT
Jonnie Williams leaves the federal courthouse in Richmond, Va., after testifying on the third day of former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife Maureen's corruption trial, Wednesday, July 30, 2014. (AP Photo/Richmond Times-Dispatch, Alexa Welch Edlund)   (Associated Press)

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — A key witness in the corruption trial of former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell testified that he made a mistake when he bought a Rolex watch for the governor at the first lady's request.

Businessman Jonnie Williams said Thursday that he thought it was wrong to buy the watch and didn't want people to know.

The watch was passed to the jury, where each juror briefly handled and inspected it. Williams said the watch cost between $6,000 and $7,000.

The watch is an important piece of evidence because it represents a tangible chunk of the more than $165,000 in secret gifts prosecutors say the McDonnells received from Williams. Other monetary gifts and loans can't be presented in court for jurors to hold.

In exchange for the gifts, prosecutors say the McDonnells promoted Williams' products.

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