Attorneys for the former governor and former first lady Maureen McDonnell have asked U.S. District Judge James Spencer to dismiss the corruption charges against them, arguing that the U.S. government is trying to stretch the bounds of federal bribery law.

McDonnell and his wife face a 14-count indictment stemming in part from more than $165,000 in gifts and loans they accepted from Jonnie R. Williams Sr., who at the time was CEO of Henrico County-based Star Scientific. The McDonnells have pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The judge has set a July 28 start for a joint trial that is expected to last five to six weeks. On May 19, the judge will hear the McDonnells’ motions, including their request for separate trials.

The former governor had sought to present to the judge, under seal, for his review in chambers, declarations by lawyers for both McDonnells in support of their bid to sever the trials. The judge ruled Thursday that the documents — detailing case strategy and indicating testimony the McDonnells would present in severed trials — would remain under seal. But the judge denied McDonnell’s request that he review the documents in private.