NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) A Republican candidate for Congress has testified that he ruled out hiring former Gov. John G. Rowland for his 2010 campaign because the former governor's $35,000-a-month fee was outrageous.

Mark Greenberg testified Thursday, the second day of Rowland's trial on federal corruption charges that Rowland's previous felony conviction tainted his expertise.

Greenberg said Rowland proposed to be paid for providing business and charitable advice. Sam Fisher, a political consultant for Greenberg in 2010, testified that Rowland wanted to be paid through Greenberg's nonprofit animal shelter.

Rowland is accused of accepting consulting fees from Lisa Wilson-Foley's 2012 congressional campaign disguised as payments from a nursing home chain. Foley and her husband Brian Foley pleaded guilty in March to conspiring to make illegal campaign contributions.

The ex-governor has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy, falsifying records and other charges.