NEW YORK (NEWSnet/AP) — Donald Trump Jr. returned to the stand Monday as defense lawyers started calling witnesses in the New York civil fraud trail that threatens his father’s real estate empire.

Donald Trump’s eldest son returned two weeks after state lawyers quizzed him during a stretch of the trial.

Trump Jr., a Trump Organization executive vice president,  initially testified Nov. 1-2. He said he  had not worked on the annual financial statements at the heart of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit. He said he relied on the company’s longtime finance chief and outside accountants to verify accuracy.

James alleges that Donald Trump, his company and executives including his sons exaggerated his wealth on financial statements given to banks, insurers and others. The documents were used to secure loans and make deals.

The Trumps have denied wrongdoing. Their lawyers contend the state failed to meet “any legal standard” to prove allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.

The state rested its case last Wednesday after six weeks of testimony from more than two-dozen witnesses. Among them: company insiders, accountants, bank officials and Trump’s fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen. Also testifying were the former president and Don Jr.’s siblings, Eric and Ivanka.

On Monday, Trump Jr. was to be questioned first by the defense lawyers representing him, his father and other defendants. A state lawyer is also expected to question him on cross-examination. Trump Jr. is expected to testify Monday and Tuesday, followed by a tax lawyer who also testified as a state witness.

The defense also plans to call several expert witnesses.

When he became president in 2017, Donald Trump handed day-to-day management of his company to Eric and Donald Trump Jr. and named Trump Jr. as trustee to hold his assets while in office.

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