By Luc Cohen

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – A Nevada former governor’s candidate testified that Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, introduced him to Lev Parnas. Parnas is a former Giuliani associate currently on trial for alleged violations to campaign finance laws and who facilitated a donation to the candidate.

Adam Laxalt was unsuccessful in his bid for governorship. Igor Fruman donated $10,000 to him as a Parnas associate. But, he claimed his campaign declined the funds due to concerns about its source and doubts that the contribution was legal.

Prosecutors summoned Laxalt as a witness in Parnas’ Manhattan federal court trial. A Ukrainian national has been accused of illegally funneling money to a Russian businessman for the campaign financing candidates running in state where Parnas and Fruman were applying to license cannabis-related businesses.

Laxalt stated that Giuliani was his personal attorney at the time. This happened two months before 2018’s state elections. Republican Laxalt said that he accompanied Giuliani on a balcony of the hotel where Parnas and others were drinking cigars.

Parnas “immediately proposed to help me campaign,” Laxalt said to the jury overseen by U.S. District Judge J. Paul Oetken.

Giuliani introduced Laxalt in Parnas without any evidence. Separately, the prosecution is investigating whether Giuliani, Trump’s attorney and lobbyist, violated any laws. Giuliani is not being charged with any criminal offense and has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

Parnas and Fruman, a former co-defendant in the case, were involved in helping Giuliani to investigate President Joe Biden’s actions in Ukraine. Trump was defeated by Biden (a Democrat) in his 2020 campaign for reelection.

Giuliani’s lawyer said that Parnas’ case and the investigation into lobbying were unrelated.

Parnas plead not guilty. Fruman of Belarus was convicted in September