RICHMOND, Va. — The wealthy businessman who showered former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell and his wife with gifts and loans tried to impress a cardiologist by having the then-first lady introduce him to movie director Steven Spielberg, the doctor testified Tuesday.

Dr. George Vetrovec said former Star Scientific Inc. CEO Jonnie Williams was trying to interest him in conducting research on the company’s signature product, the tobacco-derived anti-inflammatory Anatabloc, when the encounter occurred in October 2011. Vetrovec, who works at Virginia Commonwealth University’s medical school, said he met Williams at the school to discuss the idea.

Williams told Vetrovec that “the governor’s wife makes really good cookies and we’re going over there,” the doctor testified. When they arrived at the Executive Mansion, a reception was being held to honor Spielberg for filming the movie Lincoln in the Richmond area. Maureen Mc-Donnell, at Williams’ request, introduced Vetrovec to the filmmaker, he testified.

“This is the most unusual event you can imagine,” Vetrovec said. “You just never know what’s going to happen every day when you get up.”

Bob McDonnell’s attorney, Henry Asbill, asked Vetrovec if he thought Williams was trying to impress him.

“I guess so,” Vetrovec said.