But under questioning from prosecutor Jessica Aber, it became clear that the information Martin provided to reporters about the goings on in the administration was only as reliable as his source.

Aber questioned Martin about the June 2011 Executive Mansion wedding of one of the McDonnells’ daughters, Cailin. Martin was shown news reports that attributed to him statements that the governor was paying the entire cost of the event. In fact, evidence presented indicates that Williams paid $15,000 toward the catering costs.

Martin said he had received the information from speaking with the governor.

Martin said in a subsequent news story that the governor drove Williams’ Ferrari back to Richmond from Smith Mountain Lake as a favor. Those comments also seemed contradicted by testimony from Williams and a McDonnell family member that the governor had also driven the luxury sports car while the family vacationed at the lake.

Again, Martin said he gathered the information he provided to reporters from a conversation with the governor.

“I don’t think he would ever ask me to lie,” Martin testified later, a statement he repeated to reporters outside the courthouse at the end of the day.