NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) — Aggrieved and defiant, Donald Trump sat through hours of sometimes testy opening arguments Monday in a fraud lawsuit that could cost him control of some of his most prized properties.

“Disgraceful trial,” the former president declared during a lunch break, after listening to lawyers for New York Attorney General Letitia James excoriate him as a habitual liar.

The state's lawsuit accuses the business-mogul-turned-politician and his company of deceiving banks, insurers and others by misstating his wealth for years in financial statements

“They were lying year after year after year,” Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James' office, said as Trump sat at the defense table. He looked straight ahead, arms crossed, facing away from a screen that showed details of Wallace's presentation.

Defense lawyers, in response, said the financial statements were legitimate.

“That is not fraud. That is real estate," attorney Alina Habba said, accusing the attorney general's office of "setting a very dangerous precedent for all business owners in the state of New York.”

Trump voluntarily attended the first day of the trial.

Trump sneered at James as he passed her on his way out at lunchtime; she, by turn, left smiling. Meanwhile, his campaign immediately began fundraising off the appearance.

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled last week that Trump committed fraud in his business dealings. If upheld on appeal, the ruling could force Trump to give up New York properties including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate. Trump has called it a “a corporate death penalty” and insisted the judge is unfair and out to get him.

This trial concerns six remaining claims in the lawsuit, including allegations of conspiracy, falsifying business records and insurance fraud. It is a non-jury trial, which Engoron said was legally required when a suit seeks not only money but a court order setting out something a defendant must do or not do.

James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.

James’ lawsuit is one of several legal headaches for Trump as he campaigns for a return to the White House in next year's election. He has been indicted four times since March, accused of plotting to overturn his 2020 election loss to Democrat Joe Biden, hoarding classified documents and falsifying business records related to hush money paid on his behalf.

The New York fraud trial is expected to last into December.

Copyright 2023 NEWSnet and The Associated Press. All rights reserved.